An electrifying atmosphere awaits Mamelodi Sundowns in Tunisia for the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final against Esperance. Here's a look at the dangermen who stand in the way of Rulani Mokwena's charges this weekend!
The battle ground has been set for the greatly anticipated semi-final, with Sundowns set to play in front of 30 000 fans at a sold-out Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on Saturday at 21:00 South African time.
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With the atmosphere alone likely to play a huge part, Mokwena's men will have their focus on the dangermen who threaten their path to continental glory and possibly a spot at the FIFA Club World Cup next year.
Rodrigo Rodrigues
One such player the South African side will need to be wary of is Brazilian star Rodrigo Rodrigues. The striker has already bagged six goals in all competitions for the Blood and Gold after joining them in September 2023, in a deal worth €245 000 (R5 million) from Juventude in his native country. While the bulk of his goals have come in other competitions – he has only one assist and no goals in the Champions League – Esperance are yet to lose a match Rodrigues has featured in during this season's CAFCL, with the side claiming three wins and three draws. Standing at 1.91m, the 27-year-old has an imposing figure and good hold-up play too. Down defenders will need to be careful of the physical threat he possesses.
Yassine Meriah
Remarkably, Esperance's top goalscorer in all competitions so far this season is centre-back Yassine Meriah. The 30-year-old has scored seven goals, and has started in every match that he has been available for this term. Some of Downs' players will already be aware of his abilities as he captained Tunisia during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations clash against Bafana Bafana, which ended in a 0-0 draw. The Tunis-born star brings vast experience to his side, having previously also represented Greek giants Olympiacos and Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
Yan Sasse
Another Brazil native in the side is attacking midfielder Yan Sasse, who has registered four goals and six assists in 25 games for the club this season. The playmaker is one of the side's most creative players following his arrival from Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand in August 2023. The 26-year-old has been influential in Esperance's run in the tournament too, having started in each of the 10 games they have played so far. Sasse can play in a variety of positions, having starred at right-wing, right-midfield, left-wing, left-midfield, and in his preferred attacking midfield role. Given his ability to roam across various positions, the likes of Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende will be tasked with tracking the No. 10's deceptive movement.
Honourable mentions include Gambian striker Kebba Sowe and 21-year-old sensation Zakaria El Ayeb, who has made 22 appearances since his promotion to the first team in July 2023.
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