WATCH: Is this the reason why Rhulani Mokwena failed? Miguel Cardoso reveals the biggest quality that won for Mamelodi Sundowns against Al Ahly

Mamelodi Sundowns forced Al Ahly to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the Caf Champions League semi-final at the Cairo International Stadium to advance to the last hurdle.

Having drawn 0-0 in the first leg, Masandawana advanced on an away goal rule after a 1-1 aggregate score.

It is the first time since 2016 that the defending Premier Soccer League champions have made the final.

Former Masandawana coach Rhulani Mokwena twice failed to get past the semi-final of the Caf Champions League.

In the 2022/23 season, he was knocked out by Wydad Athletic Club before Esperance, who were under Miguel Cardoso, eliminated him last season.

After getting past the defending champions, the Portuguese tactician has revealed how one quality won it for the players and the whole team at large, including the management.

“Trust in the way we have been living this experience together, trust in the quality and game plan we had for the match, trust that even losing 1-0 we could score, trust that whatever happened in the past would never happen. And a new history would happen and had to be written today and trust in the club and its supporters that gives us this condition to work hard and trust in our supporters at home,” Cardoso said on SABC after the match.

“I was surprised [by Al Ahly’s defensive approach], but I understand because if you think that in the last eight matches, now nine, Al Ahly never won against Mamelodi Sundowns. They understand that they would have to be careful," Cardoso said.

“Also, it has to do with the fact that we are playing very tight matches and we have to take care of both teams because they knew suffering a goal could put everything falling down and we also knew scoring one would change.

“After we suffered from a mistake, we had to run and amend. We made a lot of changes in the second half in order to become more aggressive. We lost a little bit of creativity in the front and in the end, I thought we deserved [to go through] despite big respect for Al Ahly.”

The Portuguese explains how players did their job on the pitch.

Sundowns will now be aiming to beat Pyramids in the final to get their second star.

The Egyptian outfit beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 on Friday night to reach their first ever Caf Champions League final.