Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has urged those who may be underestimating ASFAR to reconsider, warning that the CAF Champions League final against the Moroccan side could prove even more demanding than the semi-final victory over Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
Sundowns will face ASFAR in the final, with the Brazilians chasing their second continental crown since their historic 2016 triumph. Their opponents, meanwhile, are no strangers to the occasion, the Rabat-based club won the competition back in 1985.
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Speaking after the semi-final win, Cardoso also placed his own achievement in historical context, revealing that he is only the third coach in African football history to reach three CAF Champions League finals.
“Opportunity [against ASFAR]? There’s also opportunity, there’s always one because you are going to play it, and that’s an opportunity, but you know I’m a person who is thankful on life for everything that happens, rather than looking at what didn’t happen,” Cardoso said.
“I always told you, what will speak for my career is in ten years when I look back and I can look… I think in the history of African football there are three coaches who have made three finals, Manuel Jose from Portugal with Ahly, Pitso did with Ahly and Sundowns and myself.
“So, when you enter a group of coaches, that are three, you just need to enjoy [the moment] because you are in such a level, just enjoy… wanting more? Everyone wants more. But I’m very thankful for life and what it’s given me.
“Life gave us an opportunity to exist, to wake up everyday with energy, to be in a club that is so big in terms of it’s demands and it helped me so much in establishing the mindset that allows us to be systematically on this point.”
ASFAR Are No Push-Overs
Despite his reflective tone, Cardoso was sharp in pushing back at any suggestion that ASFAR represent a more straightforward challenge than the opponents Sundowns have already navigated this campaign.
“And that is is – let’s go in with ambition. One thing we should never think is how the question was put; have you seen ASFAR play this season? You have to see again, you are taking it very light.
“The teams we are speaking about, are on the level of Sundowns, they are on the level of Esperance, they have developed very good, strong teams and very good group players and it’s with respect that we go for this final – whoever thinks it won’t be as difficult as this semi-final is completely wrong. Maybe it will be even more difficult.”
Sundowns are bidding to become African champions for the second time in their history – having won in in their second-ever final a decade ago, under then head coach Pitso Mosimane.
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