Cardoso was at the helm of Esperance when they defeated the Brazilians home and away wins in the 2023/24 Champions League semi-finals.
He then engineered victory over his former club when Sundowns beat Esperance in last season’s quarter-finals, and a win over Al Ahly in the semis, only to come up short in the final against Egyptian Premier League team Pyramids.
With the Betway Premiership title still very much in the balance, as they bid to pip Orlando Pirates to the title, Cardoso admitted that every game until the end of the season is important.
Speaking ahead of the game, he said: “Everything is important. We may have been collecting points, but if we want to be champions of this league, that means we can extend that circle.
“We need to continue to collect points because the league is very tough.
READ: Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso welcomes key duo back from injury
“We now need to switch the energy to the Champions League and get the momentum that can take us to the final.”
After arriving in Tunisia, the head coach added on KickOff: “It is always very good to be here.
“You know that we spent an exceptional time here and the emotions are always very strong when I return to Tunisia. A big hug to everyone.”
In team news, Nuno Santos and Peter Shalulile are injury doubts for Sundowns and Aubrey Modiba will miss the game through suspension but Thapelo Morena is back after a successful injury return last time out.
The other semi-final sees AS FAR take on RS Berkane at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.