Miguel Cardoso: CAF final proof Mamelodi Sundowns made the right call

The Portuguese tactician oversaw a 2-0 aggregate victory over his former club Esperance on Saturday, booking Sundowns’ place in another two-legged final where they will face AS FAR next month.

Having fallen short against Pyramids last season, Cardoso said the latest achievement reflects the collective effort put in by the squad and technical team at Chloorkop.

"Two finals in a row, I think that was exactly the objective of people that brought us inside the club, to try to create the right energy, the right mindset, the right approach. So that we can be stronger in keeping the club international, at the highest level,” Cardoso said.

“I think that's exactly where we are now in the ranking. In the last year we beat the most important teams in Africa. For me and my staff, wow, it's very hard work from the ones that come from Portugal, the ones in South Africa, the ones that come from Denmark, everybody together we've been doing one hell of a job. 

“We've got a beautiful job, so thank you so much to all of them for understanding me also in the moments that I'm less easy to understand or to be understood. For my family in Portugal, they suffered a lot. 

“I was speaking on the phone with my wife and she was crying and saying, thank you very much because there is no big man, without a big woman on the side. My mum also, my brother, my papa, my family that is already not here, I never forget them when I look up in the sky and for the Portuguese guys that follow me, it's not only the second but the third final in a row, I think that is a milestone, an unbelievable milestone. 

“That was a dream when we came to Africa that we made this an objective. So, we feel very proud."

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It’s in fact the third time in a row that Cardoso take a team to this stage of the Champions League having suffered defeat at the hands of Al Ahly with Esperance prior to this move to Sundowns. 

Describing the feeling of doing it again – he said it was the “best night” of his life. 

"I think this night will be one of the best nights of my life for sure because I'll be at peace but I will wake up tomorrow with the energy to continue to work. As I said, a lot to do but we should always be pleased with the moment we live and today I told my guys, don't forget to enjoy because sometimes we don't enjoy what happens to us,” the coach added.

“When we were first in the final, it was like the first things, second one and now the third is unbelievable. For this club I think it's absolutely the same so we have to enjoy the moment but to enjoy the moment is to focus on what we have ahead. 

“Let's gather the energy, take this as a boost, it's a very positive boost obviously then become stronger, stronger and stronger. So, thank you very much to all the people around. Thank you very much to South Africa also."