Daniel Cardoso is looking forward to potentially reuniting with Steve Komphela at Kaizer Chiefs‚ the coach who first gave the centre-back a chance at Free State Stars after a long wait to make a professional breakthrough. Cardoso’s strong performances in three seasons at Stars have seen the defender on the verge of a move to Chiefs‚ having also earned a Bafana Bafana debut from Shakes Mashaba in the 3-1 international friendly victory against Swaziland in March.With just the formalities to wrap up before Chiefs can announce the defender as their player‚ Cardoso (26) said it will be an added bonus to reunite with Komphela at Naturena.“I think it’s a good move for Steve. I’ve always said he’’s the best coach in the country‚” the defender said.“He’s got a great sense of humour and he’s more like a philosopher than a coach. He shares knowledge with the players.“Stars were always the fittest team in the league. The pre-seasons were about running up mountains. That’s more a club legacy than something Steve introduced‚ I think. But I’m sure he’’ll have the same fitness ethic at Chiefs‚ even if there are no mountains in Joburg.”Cardoso was a relatively late starter making 24 league appearances in his first season at Stars in 2012-13 at 23.Having been a junior player at Chiefs‚ Orlando Pirates (playing for their satellite team‚ Yebo Yes) and Jomo Cosmos‚ he turned out for Bidvest Wits’ Vodacom League side BidBoys.“I was 21 and [Wits coaches] Roger de Sa and Eric Tinkler always said I would be promoted to the first team. It just never happened‚” the player said.“I ended up at Highlanders in the Vodacom League. It was [Stars assistant coach] Themba Sithole who noticed me there and invited me to come to Stars.“I got a contract but I still had to impress Steve to make the first team. I did that and haven’t looked back since.”Ex-Chiefs defender Bradley Carnell‚ Cardoso’s manager‚ knows how a move to Amakhosi can spur a football career. The former left-back spent six months there after a transfer from Wits‚ before moving on to a 12-year career in the German Bundesliga.He said Cardoso’s potential reunification with Komphela at Chiefs could work out well for the centre-back.“It might be a blessing in disguise. It was Steve who introduced Daniel at Free State. They have always had a good working relationship‚ and Steve knows what his level is and how to utilise him‚” Carnell said.Cardoso takes inspiration from Chiefs’ captain and centre-back last season‚ Tefu Mashamaite‚ who has left the club having not renewed his contract at 30 after winning the 2014-15 PSL player and player’’s player of the season awards.“He went to Chiefs when he was 27‚ so he was a year older than me. He struggled at first but worked hard‚ and look where he ended up‚” Cardoso said.“That’s what I want to do to. I don’t want to be a one or two season wonder. I don’t believe you have to be young to make it in football. There are guys who have started at 26.“I want to really work hard‚ make it into the national team and see how far I can go.”..