Cardoso Joins Jose And Mosimane In Elite Coaching Triple
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says he will reflect on his achievements in African club football in the future, after becoming only the third coach—alongside Manuel José and Pitso Mosimane—to reach three consecutive CAF Champions League finals.
Sundowns defeated Espérance de Tunis 1–0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, sealing a 2–0 aggregate victory to reach the final for the second consecutive season.
In doing so, they became the first South African side to achieve this feat.
The South African giants will now face Moroccan side FAR Rabat in a two-legged final next month, with the first leg set for Pretoria and the return leg in Morocco.
This marks Cardoso’s third straight Champions League final. He previously guided Espérance to the 2023/24 final against Al Ahly, having eliminated Rulani Mokwena’s Sundowns in the semifinals.
After joining Sundowns in December 2024 following his departure from Espérance, he led the Brazilians to last season’s final, where they lost to Pyramids FC.
By reaching a third consecutive final, Cardoso joins an elite group of coaches. Notably, both José and Mosimane achieved this milestone with Al Ahly.
José reached four consecutive finals between 2005 and 2008, winning in 2005, 2006, and 2008, but losing the 2007 final to Étoile Sportive du Sahel.
Mosimane reached three consecutive finals with Al Ahly between 2020 and 2022, winning in 2020 and 2021 before losing the 2022 final to Wydad Casablanca, then coached by Walid Regragui.
Mosimane had also previously won the competition in 2016 with Sundowns, who are now chasing their first title since that triumph.
Unlike José and Mosimane, Cardoso has lost his last two finals and will be hoping it is third time lucky with Sundowns next month.
“Opportunity—there is always going to be an opportunity,” said Cardoso.
“It is an opportunity. I’m someone who is always thankful in life for everything that happens, rather than focusing on what didn’t happen.
“I’ve always said that what my career truly means will be clear 10 years from now when I look back. In the history of African football, there are only three coaches who have reached three consecutive finals: Manuel José with Al Ahly, Pitso with Al Ahly, and myself.
“When you reach this level, you must enjoy it and still want more. Everybody wants more. I’m thankful for what life has given me—the chance to wake up every day with energy and to work at a club of this size and demand, which helps shape the mindset needed to consistently compete at this level.
“We go into the final with ambition. One thing we must never do is underestimate our opponents, because they are at the same level as Espérance.”
