Miguel Cardoso's impressive stats in the CAF Champions League

Africa 26 May 2026 at 03:05

Imed Ben Amara

News Editor

Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso is making waves in the CAF Champions League.

The Professor, as he is affectionately known, is following in the footsteps of his illustrious compatriot Manuel José, a four-time winner of the competition with Al Ahly (2001, 2005, 2006, and 2008).

The native of Famalicão has managed to make a name for himself in Africa after less fruitful spells in Europe, notably with FC Nantes, Celta Vigo, and AEK Athens.

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Let's take a closer look at four of Miguel Cardoso's most impressive statistics in Africa's premier club competition.

Three consecutive finals

The Portuguese tactician pulled off a remarkable feat by reaching the final three times in the last three years.

In 2024, he lost the final with Espérance de Tunis against Egypt's Al Ahly with an aggregate score of 1-0.

In the following edition, he was defeated with Mamelodi Sundowns by Egypt's Pyramids FC, with an aggregate score of 3-2.

He finally broke the jinx in the current edition, clinching the title at the expense of Morocco's AS FAR (1-0 in the first leg and 1-1 in the return leg).

Only four defeats

The Portuguese manager has lost just four matches out of thirty with Espérance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League.

With the Tunisian capital club, he was beaten by Egypt's Al Ahly (1-0) in the second leg of the final, while with the Brazilians he suffered three defeats against Pyramids FC (1-2), Al Hilal Omdurman (1-2), and Stade Malien (0-2).

1.6 goals scored per match

Espérance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns netted 30 goals in the Champions League under Miguel Cardoso, averaging 1.6 goals per game.

The Portuguese coach's biggest win in African C1 came with the oldest Tunisian club against Somalia's Dekedaha FC (8-0).

0.6 goals conceded per match

Moreover, Espérance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns conceded 18 goals under Miguel Cardoso, averaging just 0.6 goals against per match.

His heaviest defeat in the Champions League came with the Brazilians against Stade Malien in the second leg of this season's quarter-finals.

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