Sundowns Advance to CAF Semi — Finals Despite Benin Defeat. Johannesburg, South Africa — Mamelodi Sundowns progressed to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semi-finals after losing 2-0 to Stade Malien in Bamako but maintaining their aggregate advantage, according to local reports.
The South African champions faced a challenging second leg encounter in Mali’s capital city, where they had to defend a healthy lead from the first meeting.
While the exact aggregate scoreline was not specified, official statements indicate the victory margin secured in the opening fixture proved sufficient to carry the Pretoria — based club into the last four.
The result sets up a semi — final clash with Tunisian giants Esperance, marking another high-stakes encounter for the Brazilians in their pursuit of continental silverware. Both clubs represent traditional powerhouses in African club football, with previous campaigns demonstrating their capacity for deep runs in the competition.
The semi — final pairing emerges as both teams continue demonstrating consistent form in the tournament.
According to regional observers, this marks another significant milestone in Sundowns’continental ambitions, with the club maintaining their status among Africa’s elite sides despite the away leg setback. Esperance’s progression through earlier rounds positions them as formidable opponents, with the Tunisian club’s pedigree in the competition well established.
Local sources report that fixture details and scheduling for the semi — final encounters remain under finalization by tournament organizers.
The development confirms South Africa’s continued representation in the competition’s latter stages, with Sundowns carrying regional hopes as the country’s sole remaining representative. Their path to a potential final appearance now runs through Tunisia, where they will face established opposition familiar with high-pressure continental matches.
Official communiqués regarding match venues and timings are expected in the coming days.
Further details regarding the aggregate scoreline and specific match statistics were not immediately available in initial reporting.
The semi — final stage represents the penultimate hurdle before this year’s continental final, with both clubs now two matches away from securing a place in African football’s showcase event.
