South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns snatched a 1-0 away win at Esperance in Tunis on Sunday in the first leg of their African Champions League semi-final with Colombian import Brayan Leon netting the key goal, Reuters reported. 

Leon headed home in the 51st minute from Thapelo Morena's volleyed cross to hand Sundowns a major advantage to take home for the return leg in Pretoria next Saturday.

But Sundowns, who were Champions League runners-up last season, finished with 10 men when defender Grant Kekana was sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 84th minute.