Sundowns progressed to the last four after a tense 3-2 aggregate victory over Stade Malien, but their 2-0 defeat in the second leg left Cardoso far from satisfied. The Brazilians were second best for long periods, particularly in a difficult first half where they conceded twice and struggled to impose themselves.

While qualification ultimately remained the priority, Cardoso did not shy away from expressing disappointment with how his side approached the encounter.

"We are not happy with the result of this match, but we are happy with the qualification," he said after the game.

The situation worsened late in the match when Aubrey Modiba was sent off following a reckless challenge, forcing Sundowns to dig deep with 10 men as the hosts pushed for a decisive third goal.

Despite the adversity, Sundowns showed resilience to protect their aggregate lead and secure another semi-final berth — something Cardoso acknowledged as a positive for the club and its supporters.

"I'm happy for the club to be in another semi-final, I'm happy for the players and the fans back in South Africa," he added.

However, the Portuguese mentor was particularly critical of his team's first-half display, admitting they failed to deal with Stade Malien's direct approach and physical presence in challenging conditions.

According to Cardoso, the hosts' tactical adjustments disrupted Sundowns' rhythm, and a lack of intensity without the ball allowed the Malian side to dominate proceedings before the break.

Looking ahead, Sundowns will now face Esperance — Cardoso's former club — in what promises to be a compelling semi-final clash. It also marks his third consecutive appearance at this stage of the competition.

Even so, Cardoso insisted improvement is non-negotiable if Sundowns are to go one step further this time around.

"It's not easy to play here. No team has won here this season, but that doesn't make me happy with how we performed," he concluded.

Cardoso relieved but critical after Mamelodi Sundowns edge into CAF Champions League last four