Mamelodi Sundowns’ overseas camp helped squad grieve after Jayden Adams’ death, says Miguel Cardoso

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says the club’s overseas pre-season camp helped his players and staff come to terms with the death of midfielder Jayden Adams after their preparations for the new Betway Premiership season were interrupted.

The reigning champions delayed their departure for Europe following Adams’ passing and only returned recently, meaning they did not take part in the opening weekend of the Betway Premiership.

Cardoso said the squad had been in a difficult emotional state after attending the memorial service, but believed spending time together away from South Africa allowed the group to mourn collectively and begin to recover.

“Well, I think it was, first of all, a very important turnover in terms of emotions. We had to interrupt the pre-season, unfortunately, by the disappearing of Jayden [Adams],” he told the club’s media department.

“We went to the memorial [service]. We were not in the best place, let’s say, emotionally. So, coming out from the country and escaping a little bit from the context was very important.

“I think, indeed, that is the first very positive aspect that we have to highlight, keep the team together as much as we still had to deal with the funeral. It was very important that we could go through this emotional collective moment together.

“And that is a very positive thing, because I think we ended the camp in the right spot, mourning, let’s say, honouring, but sharing love and living from that. And this is a very positive thing.”

The Portuguese coach also viewed the trip as a productive period from a footballing perspective. Sundowns faced friendly opponents abroad who, in Cardoso’s view, offered a level of competition that is difficult to replicate in South Africa during pre-season.

He said the matches would help the players prepare for the demands of the campaign ahead, while also giving Sundowns’ younger players valuable exposure to international football.

“In terms of sports side of the preparation, obviously, it’s a good opportunity that the club provides the team,” he continued.

“To come abroad, where we can find opponents in a level that is difficult in South Africa, most of all because we don’t play in the preparation against our strongest rivals, let’s say.

“So that is an important question regarding the future of this team, the competitions we have this year, and also focussing on the World Cup 2029, where we have to also accumulate throughout the years that we’re going to have until then, experience on the international level for the youngsters also to profit from it and grow, and for the team to grow on the level of challenges that we’re going to face throughout the season.

“Mission accomplished. Some tough opponents on the way. And positive outcome from it.”

Sundowns’ decision to postpone their European departure came as the club dealt with the loss of Adams, whose death cast a shadow over the start of their title defence. Cardoso said the camp ultimately gave the squad an opportunity to remain united while respecting and remembering their former team-mate.

The club’s return from Europe came too late for them to feature in the opening round of the Betway Premiership, but Cardoso believes the preparation period achieved its wider purpose both emotionally and competitively.

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