It’s a contest for the CAF Champions League final and for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as well. Esperance Tunis and Sundowns meet again in the CAFCL after seven years. The first leg will be in Rades on 20th April 2024 with kickoff at 7pm GMT.
Esperance Tunis Probable XI: Memmiche; Ben Ali, Meriah, Tougai, Ben Hamida; Teka, Aholou, Chaalali; Sasse, Rodrigues, Bouguerra (4-3-3).
Sundowns Probable XI: Williams; Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Lunga; Allende, Mokoena, Modiba; Zwane; Lorch, Ribeiro Costa (4-3-1-2).
What is at Stake?
Both teams could not manage goals over 180 minutes of the quarterfinals. And this was against what was on paper considered troubling but ultimately beatable opponents. The fact that Esperance Tunis and Sundowns also appear to be losing form at this moment doesn’t bode well for the dream of an entertaining semifinal. Read my preview of the preview for a detailed view but I’ll summarize. Esperance has made a critical personnel change in midfield that has seemingly neutered the team. On the other hand, Sundowns’ much celebrated football style is now being called into question. Nevertheless, it has brought them to consecutive CAFCL semifinals for the first time in their history. Rhulani Mokwena acknowledged the importance of being a regular at this stage of the competition – before talking a big game. He knows but the fans don’t.
Miguel Cardoso led Esperance to a run of five straight wins upon joining as coach. This has now turned into three matches without a win. The encounters against ASEC Mimosas were as unmemorable as they get. Only Memmiche will remember them. Esperance also finally conceded under Cardoso’s tutelage this past weekend. A lapse in concentration allows Monastir to earn a draw against the Tunisian league champions elect. What’s going on? I simplify the answer to Chaalali. Cardoso, on his part, is organizing a closed door training throughout the week to make things right. I don’t think he will start El Ayeb though. Yann Sasse who sat out the weekend league match is fit to be available for the CAFCL semis match. His task will be to involve Rodrigues in the game. We have seen time and again that the Brazilian striker is dangerous when called upon but he gets very little service. Esperance has good options on the left wing between Bukia and Bouguerra. These wingers don’t run along the touchline, which is something Mudau finds very easy to handle. They will look to cut inside for a shot or a one-two. I also expect the archetypical set piece threat from Esperance. The main weakness at the back is exposure of Meriah and Tougai to pace and mobility. Will their game reading skills counteract that?
Sundowns recently drew with the University of Pretoria in a cup match, before winning on penalties as expected. This was said to be down to team changes. But we saw more or less Sundowns’ strongest XI against Swallows yet the team played out another draw. It feels like chameleon football is being put to task and pressure is high since its criteria for success is delivering the CAFCL trophy. Masandawana, nonetheless, has things to look up to. Mvala is back from injury while Maema and Aubaas have risen as starting XI contenders. Sundowns depth makes it look like they are one or two appropriate combinations to regain form. Form is something Shalulile, Zwane and now Lorch are searching for. I still expect all three to start. In fact my source of doubt is the third man in midfield. Will Modiba play there or one of a host of Sundowns midfielders? The approach of setting the tempo will not change for Mokwena and he may even get some reprieve playing against a team with space behind the last line of defence. But we’ve seen a team like Yanga throw away their style to the wind when up against Sundowns. I must say it will be embarrassing if Esperance defends in Rades but we’ve seen worse.
Prediction
Esperance Tunis 0-0 Sundowns
Both teams have not been conceding in the CAFCL. Both teams are also struggling to find the back of the net for different reasons. Sundowns are too elaborate in their attempts to score and Esperance is too disjointed in their efforts, with the striker often isolated and uninvolved. Honestly, I’ll sit on the fence for this one.
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