Divine Lunga Shines as Mamelodi Sundowns Advance to CAF Champions League Semi-Finals
Zimbabwean Defender Delivers Man-of-the-Match Performance Against Esperance
TUNIS – Zimbabwean left-back Divine Lunga put on a masterclass performance as Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals with a hard-fought aggregate victory over Tunisian powerhouse Esperance.
The second leg ended in a tense 0-0 draw at Stade Olympique de Radès, with Sundowns progressing thanks to their 1-0 first-leg advantage. The match saw several dramatic moments, including a late Esperance goal being disallowed after VAR intervention.
Lunga’s Defensive Masterclass
After starting the first leg on the bench, Lunga seized his opportunity with both hands, delivering what many are calling his best performance in a Sundowns shirt. The Zimbabwe international was everywhere on the pitch, making crucial tackles, intelligent clearances, and contributing to attacking plays.
“Lunga was simply magnificent tonight,” one commentator noted. “His reading of the game and composure under pressure was world-class. He completely neutralized Esperance’s dangerous wingers.”
Key Moments in the Match
The match had several pivotal moments:
- Esperance’s Youcef Belaili came close early but was denied by Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams
- Marcelo Allende rattled the crossbar just before halftime
- A late Esperance equalizer was ruled out for offside after VAR review
Road to Continental Glory
With this victory, Sundowns set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash against Egyptian giants Al Ahly. The South African champions will be looking to go one better than last season’s quarter-final exit as they continue their quest for continental supremacy.
Coach Miguel Cardoso praised his team’s resilience: “This was a proper Champions League battle. The boys showed tremendous character, especially after that late VAR decision. Divine [Lunga] was exceptional when we needed him most.”
The first leg of the semi-final is scheduled for later this month, with Sundowns hoping to become the first South African side to win Africa’s premier club competition since 2016.
For more detailed coverage of this match and exclusive player interviews, visit the original source at Nehanda Radio.