Nuno Santos is very happy to qualify for the Caf Champions League! | OneFootball

Nuno Santos is very happy to qualify for the Caf Champions League!

A wave of personal triumph washed over Nuno Santos, whose face was etched with pure delight after a landmark moment in his fledgling Mamelodi Sundowns career.

This past Sunday at Loftus Versveld, it was his inaugural goal for the club that set the tone for a 2-0 victory over Nigeria's Remo Stars, a crucial win that sealed their qualification for the CAF Champions League group stages, with Peter Shalulile adding a second to secure the result.

The weight of expectation has been heavy on Santos' shoulders since his off-season arrival. He was signed as the direct successor to the influential Lucas Ribeiro, the Brazilian who had almost single-handedly carried the team the previous season with his uncanny ability to sway results. To date, the new signing has yet to ignite the South African football scene in the same formidable manner as his predecessor, a fact not lost on the Sundowns faithful who had hoped he would already be surpassing Ribeiro's impact.

Yet, this goal represents a vital first step. Taking to his Instagram account to share his emotions, Santos encapsulated the collective sentiment: "Very happy to score my first goal for this club. Qualified for the Champions League group stage in front of our fans. Only good feelings. We keep moving."