Downs made a strong move toward the semifinals of the CAF Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Tunisian giants.
Peter Shalulile scored early in the second half, giving the Brazilians the upper hand in the tie. However, a challenging return leg against the Blood and Gold awaits next Tuesday.
The match will be made even more tense as a result of the shocking post-match fan violence, with footage circulating on social media of Esperance ultras clashing with the home support.
In the midst of chaos, a Sundowns fan was photographed assisting an Esperance fan who was in a dangerous situation. The Esperance supporter was desperately clinging on as he was helped to safety from a terrifying drop of nearly two stories.
Watch below:
Esperance#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/PBsE7KylXN
— Peché Africa ???? (@pmcafrica) April 2, 2025
Read: Sundowns Vs Esperance | How The Fan Violence Unfolded
Here's how Twitter/X users reacted to the incident:
Super Fan ???? ????
— Sundowns Online Branch (@MSFC__) April 1, 2025
Someone out there still has a brother or a father because of you. pic.twitter.com/bc4nZ6LCJb
Esperance fans started destroying the stadium and attacked Sundowns fans then a fight broke out but in the midst of battle a native decided to help an Esperance fans who was facing death while his fellow Tunisian brothers couldn't care to help their countryman facing death. pic.twitter.com/EArAdyK7LP
— Mphankomo???????????????? (@NgcwinaM) April 1, 2025
— Dr Saddam Maake (@SaddamMaake) April 2, 2025
MVP Award goes to this Yellow man!
— Mr. Jones Maluks (@hjmaluks) April 1, 2025
Salute Member...
His Fellow Country men left him Hanging but a Dawana said Not on my Watch...This is what Sundowns stands for "Ubuntu-Batho".
A Life Saved pic.twitter.com/j18AuCCn8i
Whoever this dude is…This is who we are! This is what sport, football is meant to be.
— Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube) April 1, 2025
Thank you for this. For potentially saving this man's life pic.twitter.com/36f47XA9dx
Truly ???? pic.twitter.com/aimpCFDhLY
— Chad Klate (@CKlatey) April 1, 2025
A heroic Mamelodi Sundowns fan saved the life of an Esperance fan during a violent clash between the supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns and Espérance last night at Loftus Stadium.#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/7tNLHPrfrp
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) April 2, 2025
How a fan of Mamelodi Sundowns averted what could have been an ugly situation. the MVP of today's match ?? pic.twitter.com/dkt2Z5x3UK
— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) April 1, 2025
Here's the video… https://t.co/DZ6VV74JsJ pic.twitter.com/P2VF7wnAXV
— Spokesperson of Small Accounts ???? (@KingsleyMcTladi) April 1, 2025
The guy saving esperance fan deserve everything ?? pic.twitter.com/CVAI4Aefmj
— Dr Chauke ?? (@_BlackZA) April 2, 2025
