Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has described his team’s qualification for the CAF Champions League final as one of the most significant moments of his coaching career.
Sundowns booked their place in a second consecutive final after edging Cardoso’s former club Espérance of Tunisia 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, sealing a 2-0 aggregate victory. They will now face Morocco’s AS FAR in the title decider.
Reflecting on the achievement, Cardoso paid tribute to his players and staff for their commitment throughout the campaign.
“I will never forget that the journey we started and now is exactly the moment to speak about the players, the people that go inside the pitch and make the things happen. A very big thank you,” he said.
He acknowledged the challenges faced along the way, but praised the unity within the squad.
“It has been a wonderful journey together with ups and downs, good moments, bad moments, but mostly very good moments,” Cardoso added. “We are not easy people to work with. We are very demanding, very tough, strict and organised, and we push, push, we push.”
The Sundowns coach also reserved special praise for the club’s supporters, highlighting their role in driving the team’s success at home and beyond.
“I cannot finish this thank you without speaking about our fans, of course. The energy that we feel at home is very important,” he said, urging continued support as the club shifts focus back to domestic duties.
Sundowns return to league action this week against Stellenbosch before facing Richards Bay at the weekend, as they balance their continental ambitions with the title race at home.
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