‘One of My Best Nights’: Miguel Cardoso on Mamelodi Sundowns Reaching CAFCL Final, Shifts Focus
- Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has reacted after the Brazilians reached another CAF Champions League final
- The Portuguese mentor guided the Premier Soccer League giants past his former club, Esperance of Tunisia, in the semi-finals
- The Masandawana manager also reserved some emotional praise for his wife, who is present with him in South Africa
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso hailed the CAF Champions League semi-final second-leg triumph over Espérance Sportive de Tunis as one of the standout occasions of his managerial career, while also reserving heartfelt praise for his wife.
Source: Getty Images
The Portuguese gaffer guided the Brazilians to yet another CAF Champions League final after they defeated his former club in both legs of the semi-finals in April 2026.
The former Nantes manager would hope to bring back the trophy to South Africa this season after failing to do so last year. Masandawana lost to Pyramids FC in the final of the last edition of the competition and would hope to avoid the same feat against AS FAR Rabat this year.
Cardoso reacts to Sundowns' win
An emotional Cardoso addressed the media after the match, acknowledging the role played by his family, technical team, and the Sundowns faithful, whose presence at Loftus Versfeld Stadium created an intense atmosphere.
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“This ranks among the most memorable nights of my life,” the Portuguese tactician admitted.
He also reflected on Sundowns’ rise to prominence under his leadership, highlighting their consistent success against Africa’s elite clubs in recent years.
“In recent seasons, we’ve managed to overcome some of the continent’s biggest teams,” he said, extending gratitude to his diverse coaching unit.
“My staff has worked tirelessly — from Portugal, across Africa, South Africa, and Denmark. Collectively, we’ve built something truly special. Reaching the final once was significant, doing it again was impressive, but a third time is extraordinary.”
Source: Getty Images
Cardoso urges a shift in focus
Despite the celebratory mood, Cardoso stressed the importance of quickly turning attention back to domestic duties, with Sundowns still competing for league honours. The team faces a demanding run of seven fixtures in just 21 days across domestic and continental competitions.
“Our priority now must be the league, especially since the Champions League final comes after its conclusion,” he noted. “Seven games in 21 days — it’s a massive challenge, but also an exciting one.
“We need continued support in the league. There’s another match on Wednesday, followed by one over the weekend. I urge our supporters to stay with us wherever we play across the country.”
In a deeply personal moment, Cardoso paid tribute to his wife and family back in Portugal, acknowledging the sacrifices they have made during his time abroad.
“My family has endured a lot while I’ve been away. I spoke to my wife, and she was emotional, thanking me. Behind every strong man is an equally strong woman supporting him,” he concluded.
Cardoso matches Mokwena's Sundowns record
Briefly News also reported that Cardoso dropped a comment after matching one of Rulani Mokwena's records at Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership.
The former Rio Ave head coach hopes to lead the defending champions to their ninth consecutive Betway Premiership title this season.
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Source: Briefly News
