Cardoso equals Mosimane's Champions League record with Sundowns
The Portuguese coach reached three consecutive semi-finals but warns players against complacency ahead of league fixture.
Cardoso equals Mosimane's Champions League record with Sundowns
The Portuguese coach reached three consecutive semi-finals but warns players against complacency ahead of league fixture.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has matched Pitso Mosimane's record of reaching three consecutive CAF Champions League semi-finals after his side eliminated Esperance Sportive de Tunis on Saturday.1
Sundowns advanced to the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory in the second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, securing a 2-0 aggregate win over the Tunisian club.1 The result set up a semi-final tie against AS FAR of Morocco next month.1
Cardoso has now guided Sundowns to the Champions League semi-finals in consecutive seasons, though the team failed to win the trophy last season, losing to Pyramids FC of Egypt.1 His third consecutive semi-final appearance came while coaching Esperance during the 2023/2024 season.1
Mosimane previously achieved the same feat with Al Ahly of Egypt, winning two titles and losing one semi-final.1
Despite the milestone, Cardoso warned his players against excessive celebration ahead of their Betway Premiership fixture against Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday at 7:30pm at Loftus Versfeld.2 A victory would move Sundowns to the top of the league table ahead of Orlando Pirates, who currently lead but have played more matches.2
"It is good to celebrate what we have done in the Champions League because it was one of our wishes, but it was not the only one, which is why we must return our focus after celebrating our entry into the Champions League semi-finals," Cardoso told reporters last weekend.2
Sundowns have won the South African top-flight league title for eight consecutive seasons.2 Pirates remain two points ahead with two games in hand.2