Mamelodi Sundowns host ES Tunis at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday, 18 April 2026 at 15:00 in what promises to be a thrilling TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semi-final encounter. This crucial second leg follows Mamelodi Sundowns' slender 1-0 victory in Tunisia just six days ago, giving the South African champions a vital advantage as they pursue continental glory. With everything on the line in this high-stakes knockout fixture, the Brazilians will be determined to protect their lead on home soil, while ES Tunis must overturn the deficit to keep their Champions League dreams alive.

Team Form and Head-to-Head

Mamelodi Sundowns arrive at this semi-final clash in impressive form, having dominated their recent fixtures with commanding victories over Remo Stars (5-1 away and 2-0 at home) in previous Champions League rounds. Their domestic campaign has also been solid, with a 4-0 thrashing of Richards Bay, though they were held to consecutive 1-1 draws against Orlando Pirates. The head-to-head record between these continental rivals is remarkably balanced, with each side claiming one victory and one draw from their last five meetings. Notably, three of the last five encounters have been decided by a single goal, highlighting the competitive nature of this rivalry.

ES Tunis have shown excellent form in their recent outings, winning four consecutive matches before being held to a goalless draw by Stade Malien Bamako. The Tunisian giants dispatched AS-FAN convincingly with 3-0 and 4-1 victories, followed by comfortable wins over Rahimo (1-0 away, 3-0 at home). However, their inability to find the net in last week's first leg and their recent stalemate suggests they may struggle to break down Sundowns' organized defense. The visitors will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they hope to progress to the final.

What's at Stake

This semi-final second leg represents Mamelodi Sundowns' best opportunity to reach the CAF Champions League final and claim the continental crown that has eluded them in recent campaigns. A victory or draw would see the South African champions through to the showpiece finale, cementing their status as African football's premier force. For ES Tunis, only a victory by two or more goals will guarantee progression, while a 1-0 win would force extra time and potentially penalties. The Tunisian side's season hangs in the balance, making this a must-win encounter for the visitors at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

Match Prediction

Given the tactical sophistication of both teams and Mamelodi Sundowns' one-goal advantage, this match preview suggests a cautious approach from the hosts who will look to control possession and hit on the counter-attack. ES Tunis must push forward in search of goals, which could leave them vulnerable to Sundowns' pace in transition. Our prediction for Mamelodi Sundowns vs ES Tunis is a 2-0 home victory, with the Brazilians' superior firepower proving decisive. The expert advice favors a double chance on Mamelodi Sundowns or draw, reflecting the 45% win probability for each of those outcomes. While this cup match could potentially extend to extra time if the aggregate scores are level after 90 minutes, Sundowns' home advantage and recent momentum should see them through to the final within regulation time.