NEWS: Rulani Mokwena’s Mamelodi Sundowns crash out of CAF Champions League after defeat to ES Tunis

The Tunisian giants clinched the tie with a 2-0 aggregate scoreline after defeating the Brazilians by a solitary goal in both legs and will now face Egyptian side Al Ahly in the competition’s final.

Sundowns came into the contest confident of overturning their one-goal deficit and made a point of making a quick start.

The match came to a grinding halt after 20 minutes though when lightning and thunder halted play.

After a 1-hour and 10-minute delay, the match eventually resumed and the hosts should have taken the lead on the night just before halftime when Peter Shalulile saw his header from point-blank range saved by visiting goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche.

Sundowns were always playing on the front foot and continued in that vain in the second half but could not break down a rock-solid Esperance defence.

The South African champions were then hit by a sucker-punch when totally against the run of play the visitors broke away and substitute Raed Bouchniba beat Ronwen Willliams from a tight angle.

The goal by the Tunisians meant Sundowns now needed to score three goals to advance to the final which proved an insurmountable task.

It was more semifinal heartbreak for Masandawana as they now look to pick up the pieces and finish off their league campaign at home where they are close to sealing a seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title.