Sundowns boss Cardoso thanks PSL after opener moved in wake of Adams’ death

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has thanked the Premier Soccer League and Marumo Gallants for agreeing to postpone the champions’ opening Betway Premiership fixture as the club continues to mourn midfielder Jayden Adams.

Sundowns had been scheduled to host Marumo Gallants in Pretoria on Saturday in what would have been their first match of the 2026-27 Betway Premiership season.

The fixture has instead been rescheduled for 18 August, with the delay granted to allow Cardoso’s squad to complete their pre-season camp in Europe following the disruption caused by Adams’ passing. The midfielder was laid to rest only this past weekend.

Cardoso’s pre-recorded message, broadcast during the official launch of the new campaign, set out the club’s appreciation for the accommodation and its determination to honour Adams over the coming months.

“We would like, obviously, to congratulate and say thank you very much for the PSL, for the Marumo Gallants that just allowed us to delay our first championship match,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV.

“Unfortunately, the reasons are not the best ones. We also want everybody to remember the memory of Jayden Adams and how we are mourning him, but at the same time, how we are living from the love that he brought to all of us.

“And it’s also our obligation, obviously, to honour him throughout all the tournaments, we are pretty happy about the game being almost there.

“First one, we wish you all the best in the weekend for all the games. Let’s hope we have all games, and let’s hope we all enjoy throughout all the season.”

Tribute at heart of Sundowns’ season

Cardoso underlined that Adams’ memory would be a central motivation for Sundowns across every competition they enter this term, framing the campaign as a chance to pay continuous tribute to the late midfielder.

The Portuguese coach stressed both the depth of the squad’s grief and the positive influence Adams had within the club, highlighting a desire to channel that emotion into their performances when they eventually begin their title defence.

Sundowns, who go into the campaign again among the favourites for the Betway Premiership crown, tailored their pre-season schedule around the funeral and subsequent period of mourning, which led to the delay in fully commencing preparations for 2026-27.

Gallants’ agreement to the change means both teams will now wait until mid-August for their first league meeting of the new season, while the rest of the top-flight programme proceeds as planned this weekend.

League launch goes ahead

The postponement did not affect the formal launch of the Betway Premiership season, where Cardoso’s address formed part of the build-up to the weekend’s fixtures.

While Sundowns and Gallants stand down from opening-day action, Cardoso used his message to offer well-wishes to all clubs taking part in the first round of matches and to express hope for an uninterrupted and enjoyable campaign.

“Let’s hope we have all games, and let’s hope we all enjoy throughout all the season,” he said, reiterating his view that the league’s decision had balanced respect for Adams’ passing with the broader need to get the season under way.