Cardoso dedicates Sundowns’ win to late Jayden Adams

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has dedicated his team’s FIFA African Asian Pacific Cup victory over Al-Ahli Saudi to the late Jayden Adams.

Adams passed away in July at the age of 25.

A brace from Nuno Santos earned the Brazilians a 2-1 win over the Saudi Arabian side at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday. The other goal was an own goal from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Speaking after the game, Cardoso said Adams’ soul gave them strength to win the encounter.

“In this moment, let’s look in the sky and embrace our brother Jayden Adams. It’s his soul today that gave us the strength. And let’s remind Khuliso Mudau that’s also his injury. It’s important we respect the game, but we don’t respect no one,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV.

“Don’t take me the wrong way; I mean respect what’s happening on the pitch, fight harder to have the ball, be humble for that, but be proud to be yourselves. I said I want Sundowns on the pitch today, and we had it. Thank you very much, South Africa.

“Thank you very much, Mamelodi Sundowns, this one is for these beautiful people here, all of them, for our chairman (Tlhopie Motsepe), the players, Mr Flemming (Berg), beautiful moment.

“Let’s embrace it also because it’s a beautiful moment today; it’s a big, big one this one that will stay in the history forever,” added Cardoso.

Sundowns will now face Mexican club Toluca or the South American champions. The winners meet Paris Saint-Germain in the Intercontinental Cup final.

All three matches will be staged at a neutral venue on dates to be announced.