Sundowns advance to Champions League final, Cardoso seeks third-time success
Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Esperance 2-0 on aggregate to reach the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR.
Sundowns advance to Champions League final, Cardoso seeks third-time success
Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Esperance 2-0 on aggregate to reach the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR.
Mamelodi Sundowns qualified for the CAF Champions League final after defeating Esperance 2-0 on aggregate, securing a 1-0 victory at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.12 The club will face Moroccan side AS FAR in a two-legged final, with the first match scheduled for May 15 in Pretoria and the return leg on May 24 in Rabat.12
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso became the third coach in African football history to reach three consecutive Champions League finals, joining Manuel Jose and Pitso Mosimane.12 Cardoso has reached the final once with Esperance and twice with Sundowns but has yet to win the trophy.12 When you enter the group of three coaches, you just need to enjoy,
Cardoso told the media after the match.1 He added that the final would be as difficult as the semifinal, stating whoever thinks this final will not be as difficult as this semifinal is completely wrong.
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Brayan Leon scored the only goal that sent Sundowns into their second successive final.2 Utility player Thapelo Morena said the team now understands what is required to win the title after last season's 3-2 aggregate defeat to Pyramids of Egypt.4 This time, the good thing is that we know what we're looking at and we can see that there's light at the end of the tunnel,
Morena said.4 Sundowns won their only Champions League title in 2016.4
Cardoso faced significant pressure from supporters earlier this season over the team's style of play, despite their strong league position and Champions League progress.3 The club failed to win the MTN8 and Carling Knockout and were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup.3 In January, Cardoso and sporting director Flemming Berg left Loftus through the back door following a 2-2 draw with Al Hilal of Sudan to avoid angry supporters.3 Cardoso said critics don't make my life because I live from the energy that comes from the ones that are important.
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