Despite facing persistent pressure from Sundowns, Esperance's Brazilian midfielder, Yan Sasse, managed to secure a lead for his team five minutes before halftime.
The 26-year old winger received a brilliant assist and found himself one-on-one with the Sundowns’ keeper to score the leading goal.
Sundowns made several substitutions in the second half in an attempt to stage a comeback, but their efforts were thwarted by a resilient Tunisian defense.
Esperance will now travel to face Sundowns on Friday for the second leg, which will determine the team that advances to the final of this prestigious continental tournament.
The victorious team will then go on to face the winner of the match between Egypt's Ahly and DR Congo's TP Mazembe, which will also take place in Cairo on Friday.
Ahly, in their first leg encounter, secured a goalless draw against TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi earlier on Saturday.
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