Basadien dedicates Sundowns’ intercontinental triumph to late Jayden Adams

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Fawaaz Basadien has dedicated the club’s FIFA Asia-Africa-Pacific Cup success to the late Jayden Adams, saying the midfielder’s love of winning inspired the team before their victory over Al Ahli.

The Brazilians secured a 2-1 victory against the Saudi Pro League giants at the weekend to claim the intercontinental trophy. The result also moved Mamelodi Sundowns closer to a possible meeting with European champions PSG, provided they defeat their yet-to-be-confirmed South American opponents.

Basadien, who also reflected on his return to the picture at Chloorkop, said the significance of the achievement became clear when he received his medal.

“Yeah, no it’s very special, I mean when I received the medal and I went down and sat there and I spoke to Tash [Tashreeq Matthews] and Iqraam [Rayners] and I told them this one is for Jaden [Adams] because we knew that Jaden is someone who loves to win things,” Basadien said.

“Especially in football and we knew coming into the game already, our coach, the technical staff as well as the teammates, we said, this one we are doing for Jaden. So, I’m just happy and grateful that we won.”

Basadien said Adams’ memory had been central to the squad’s preparations, with the players and coaching staff agreeing before kick-off that the match would be played in his honour.

The defender added that the scale of the occasion had not fully registered with most of the squad, despite the quality of the opposition and the significance of the title.

“To be honest it hasn’t sunk in yet, we know we won obviously, it was a big occasion, a big game we played against a good opponent as well. So, I think it was a good test for us to see where we are at and I think we proved that we can compete at the highest level and I am just so happy for the team and grateful to put on a medal that says we won the intercontinental Africa/Asia,” he added.

The win gave Mamelodi Sundowns another piece of silverware and offered the squad evidence that it can compete against teams from the highest levels of the game.

With some players now set to join their national teams, Basadien said the priority would be to take a short break before returning refreshed and attempting to win another trophy.

“So, I think it’s just for us now to take a break from football a bit. Obviously some of us are going to the national team but once we come back to reenergise and go for another cup.”