Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Esperance 1-0 in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday afternoon.
Sundowns recalled the big names following Friday's win over Sekhukhune United as Khuliso Mudau, Lucas Ribeiro, Jayden Adams and Peter Shalulile, while Thapelo Morena replaced Tashreeq Matthews in a late inclusion.
The Tshwane giants fancied the lead in the opening quarter through a ferocious free-kick by Teboho Mokoena from way out, but Esperance goalkeeper Ben Said made a thumping save.
Maher Kanzari's men weren't on the front-foot inside the earlier exchanges but rather played a low-block and looked effective on the counter-attack.
The Brazilians continued to have the lion share of chances as Ribeiro drilled a low shot from the edge of the area narrowly wide of the bottom-corner, as the two sides went into the break goalless.
Masandawana made a double change at halftime, brining on Divine Lunga and Arthur Sales for Aubrey Modiba and Morena respectively.
However, the Brazilians snatched the opening goal nine minutes after the restart when Shalulile tapped in the near post following an assist off the head by Adams.
Taraji came close to the equaliser with a snap shot in the box from a free-kick by Yan Sasse, but the Brazilians dropped deep and cleared their lines.
Sundowns continued battling away as the visitors pushed numbers late on in a desperate quest to draw level but ended up going well off the mark.
The Brazilians shored up their advantage five minutes to the end, with the substitution of Bathusi Aubaas for Bafana Bafana international Adams.
With time running out, Taraji were unable to draw level and saw the home team to a first-leg victory, with the return leg taking place next Wednesday in Tunis.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Modiba, Suarez, Mokoena, Morena, Allende, Adams, Ribeiro, Shalulile
Subs: Onyango, Maema, Morena, Khoza, Rayners, Lunga, Sales, Aubaas, Maseko
Esperance: Ben Said, Jelassi, Sasse, Belaili, Bouchniba, Onuche, Tougai, Ben Hamida, Konate, Mokwana, Geunichi
Subs: Memmiche, Tka, Silva, Jabri, Mohamed, Bouzaiene, Kodhai, Jebali, Hamrouni