A second consecutive CAF Champions League final defeat for Miguel Cardoso has not completely dampened the spirits of the Portuguese coach, but he admitted that Mamelodi Sundowns were not at the level they should have been to win it.
Sundowns missed out on a second Champions League title, losing 3-2 on aggregate to first-time winners Pyramids, who became the fourth Egyptian club to win the competition after Al Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily.
READ: Bucs Slayer Denies Sundowns Champions League Glory
Cardoso, meanwhile, was on the losing side last season as coach of Tunisian giants Esperance and had to endure more pain on Sunday evening as Sundowns lost on Egyptian soil. It was Sundowns' second Champions League final loss in their history, their first coming in 2001 at the hands of Al Ahly.
"The fact that we are not happy does not mean that I am not proud of everything we did until the moment we arrived in this final. But at the same time, I think something missed in order to be in the level we needed in order to win. What I feel is that in some moments we did not find the way to compete in the level we should have competed in order to win the trophy," Cardoso told media at the post match conference.
"Throughout the tournament, our players were able to show commitment and great attitude. Guiding them to the final makes me proud. The feeling when you play the final and don't win is obviously very bitter. I have a wonderful group of men in the locker room who are obviously suffering, but that will get up as true champions that they are. We still have a lot to do. What's important is go back and settle in the objective and that we can repeat the opportunity of playing again a final of the Champions League and be better than we were."
Sundowns went into the second leg on the backfoot after conceding on home soil and the pressure was piled on when they were a goal down within 25 minutes. When Pyramids scored the second goal 11 minutes into the second half, the PSL giants did not have enough in them to pull off a comeback, even though Iqraam Rayners reduced the deficit with 15 minutes left on the clock.
READ: How Downs Compare To World's Best In Rankings
"In some moments, I felt there was something missing from our part. I don't think we are worse in football and I think that was shown in both matches. But Pyramids were very competent and capable to position in a way that avoided us to play the way we want. Most of all, they gave their lives in every ball they were playing for and in this level sometimes makes a difference. It's not a matter of accepting that we lost, but it's a matter of accepting that we didn't play the game in the level we should have played. I have to be honest with myself and our players. I think the feeling I have they also have and it's human," Cardoso said.
"Despite having a lot of international players, playing finals is another thing. Let's focus on what we can do on the future and prepare energy for that."
Sundowns now have to pick themselves up for the FIFA Club World Cup which commences on 14 June in the USA.
