Cardoso sends message to doubters afters after reaching CAF final

Miguel Cardoso with Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has sent a message to his doubters after reaching back-to-back CAF Champions League finals with the Tshwane giants.

Cardoso and his troops advanced to the Champions League final after overpowering Esperance de Tunis in the two-legged semi-final, moving closer to clinching their second continental title.

Sundowns defeated Esperance 1-0 home and away over two legs to book a spot in the final, where they’ll face Moroccan side AS FAR, who defeated RS Berkane in the last four of the competition.

Masandawana reached the Champions League final courtesy of decisive goals from the Colombian striker Brayan Leon, who scored one goal in each leg.

After securing a spot in the final, Sundowns are looking to improve from their last season’s disappointment after falling short in the CAF Champions League final, losing against Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC.

In the current campaign, Sundowns coach Cardoso has faced heavy criticism after Downs had an inconsistent run of form in the first round of the 2025/26 season. Several Sundowns fans were calling for the sacking of the Portuguese mentor. But despite the noise, the tactician has effectively silenced his critics.

By moving a step closer to securing another Champions League title for Sundowns, he inches toward a feat not achieved since Pitso Mosimane led the Brazilians to continental glory in 2016.

‘I KNEW I’LL STAY AT SUNDOWNS’: MIGUEL CARDOSO

Mamelodi Sundowns in action against Esperance
Mamelodi Sundowns in action against Esperance. Picture courtesy of Mamelodi Sundowns/Facebook

In a response to the criticism from his doubters, Cardoso has revealed that he always knew that he would remain the head of Sundowns despite calls for his sacking.

“Those kinds of people don’t make my life; I live from the energy that comes from those who are important. And it’s you [journalist] saying, ‘we didn’t know if you would stay’, I knew that I would stay, my assistant coaches, my club, management, and my players, we all knew I would stay,” Cardoso said.

“The ones that wanted me out are probably the ones that don’t have the capacity and power to decide, but look, I don’t take this moment [reaching the final] as an individual achievement. I look at this moment as a club and players’ achievement; it’s their job and a high level of commitment, not mine. I just try to facilitate and not complicate things. And that’s it, I live in peace, I’m already 54 years old, and I have to enjoy life.

“One day, this life will end for everybody. I don’t depend on my day-to-day work. I depend on what I’ve done for many years, and my life is very stable. So I need to enjoy life, and that’s what brings me peace of existing as a human being.”

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