Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says he was always convinced his side would get the vital away goal that proved decisive in Sunday’s 2025/26 Caf Champions League final.A rasping effort from midfielder Teboho Mokoena flew into the net on the stroke of half-time to equalise the score after hosts AS FAR had taken the lead and levelled the tie on aggregate.Sundowns took a slender 1-0 lead into the second leg but went behind in the 40th minute after giving away a penalty, which Mohamed Hrimat converted to bring the Moroccan side back in the contest.However, with the away goals rule still applying in African club competition, FAR were left needing to win by two clear goals when Mokoena equalised.“After the first penalty, I still felt that at any moment we could score, because it’s very rare that we don’t score in a game,” Cardoso said.“I felt we would always have a chance because I knew we had the power in front from our side. We didn’t manage the game in the way I would have liked, but once we got our goal, we could feel it suck a little bit of the energy out of the stadium.”The Moroccan military side were cheered on by a loud 60,000-strong crowd at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, but needing to score twice in the second half proved a bridge too far. Hrimat was thwarted when Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved a penalty in the 76th minute.“Of course, had they scored, it would be 15 minutes of suffering, for sure, because they would have come at us with everything,” said Cardoso.“We were not able to be patient and deal with the emotions we had inside us. As time went by and the possibility of winning was there, trying to prevent conceding a second goal didn’t allow us to take more control of the game.“You need a bit of luck at the right moments, but overall we deserved to win.”Cardoso was the losing coach in the two previous Champions League finals, when Esperance of Tunisia lost to Egypt’s Al Ahly in 2024 and when Sundowns were beaten by Pyramids of Egypt in 2025.“It was fully deserved, what this team has been through, knocking on the door every season,” Bafana Bafana captain Williams said.“Finally the door opened for us, and we get to add the star to the jersey.”After Sundowns clinched the Caf Champions League and Orlando Pirates the Premiership title, Masandawana player Jayden Adams believes this success will translate into success for the national team before the Fifa World Cup to be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.Pirates secured the PSL title at the weekend, beating Orbit College 2-0.With players fromSundowns and Pirates expected to dominate the squad for the World Cup, Adams said: “I think it is very important for Bafana Bafana. I think for us also as a team going into the World Cup.“I think just to boost us from both sides, from Pirates’ and Sundowns’ side, just to get together and fight for the country.”Sundowns and Bafana goalkeeper Williams shared Adams’ sentiments and said they need to go and have a wonderful World Cup after this achievement.“It’s been a tough season and tough year for me, playing so many games. It’s not easy, and I can feel this was not my best campaign, and we as a team will just be better,” Williams said.