‘I struggled, let me cry!’ How Adams’ passing affected PSL-winning coach

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted he had a hard time to deal with the passing of star midfielder Jayden Adams.

The former Bafana Bafana international died a couple of days after the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States. The then Hugo Broos-led team made history by making it out of the group, but were knocked out by Canada in the Round of 32.

Cardoso, who has won the Premier Soccer League with Masandawana as well as the CAF Champions League, has conceded it wasn’t easy to cop with the loss.

I had to be strong!

The Portuguese tactician has explained how frustrated and traumatized he was following the incident.

“He was a very tender person, very easy to relate to. I confess I struggled a lot; I have a lot of difficulty dealing with death, a lot,” he told the club’s media team.

“I had a lot of traumatic moments in my life where my grandmother and grandfather died in two days, so it was a dramatic experience for myself.

“The level of pain that, obviously, became love and acceptance later, but it was very tough to deal with, so when I go back to those moments, I struggle to survive. But I had to be strong. I think the most honest thing we did was that we cried together; we had no problem crying and embraced each other.”

I have no problem showing emotions

“I said to the guys, ‘Sorry, man, I don’t worry if you see me crying; let me cry. If you need to cry, cry,” Cardoso continued.

“If you need to go out after training, go’, a lot of calls, a lot of messages to the Stellenbosch guys, obviously: Fawaaz Basadien, Kegan Johannes, Antonio Van Wyk, Tashreeq Matthews, players that grew up with him, Iqraam Rayners obviously, a lot of extra care with them.

“But showing them I was feeling hard, I had hard times, and I have no problem exposing myself to the pain; I have no problem showing my players my emotions,” he concluded.