CAF CL final with Esperance becomes Cardoso’s biggest success story yet

The well-travelled 51-year-old, who worked in his native Portugal, Spain, Greece and Ukraine before his appointment by the Tunisian giants in January, helped beat Mamelodi Sundowns over two legs to set up a North African derby against Al Ahly next month.

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 Despite a glowing CV with countless highlights, Cardoso labelled the possibility of winning Africa’s biggest club tournament as top of his list of achievements so far.

''Sometimes you don't win nothing despite being in the final - it's always a memory forever. That is why we made a photo in the locker room, I said this one is for eternity and it will stay in my heart. As a head coach this is no doubt my biggest achievement,'' said Cardoso.

Cardoso elaborated further on why he felt this way.

''Not every team plays to win, so sometimes your achievements don't have the face of trophies, so sometimes winning games is an achievement for some of the teams,'' added Cardoso.

The Esperance mentor also shared a personal story of why the Esperance job has been all about hard work and a determination to win trophies.

''You need to enjoy the weight, because in some moments I tell you I already played in Barcelona at Camp Nou - I don't remember, because I was to watch the pitch and that is something I try to beat. I work a lot and want my team to work a lot,'' he concluded,

Esperance and Ahly, who have also both qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, will play over the final over two leagues in the home and away format.

Cardoso insists he is living in the moment.