The memory of Jayden Adams was never far from Fawaaz Basadien’s mind as Mamelodi Sundowns lifted the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup at the weekend, beating Al Ahli 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld to book their spot in the Challenger Cup against either Toluca or the CONMEBOL champions.
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For Basadien, the achievement carried extra weight. Adams, the Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder who passed away in July, had been central to the CAF Champions League triumph that paved the way for this year’s Intercontinental Cup run, and went on to feature for South Africa at a World Cup that saw Bafana reach the knockout stages for the first time in the nation’s history.
Basadien revealed after full-time that the squad had made a point of dedicating the win to their former teammate before a ball was even kicked.
“I walked up to receive my medal and I went down and sat there and I spoke to Cassius Mailula and Iqraam Rayners,” he said. “And I told them this one it’s for Jayden because we knew that Jayden is someone who loves to win things, and especially in football.”
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“We knew coming into the game already, our coach and the technical staff, and as well as the teammates, we said this one, we’re doing for Jayden. So, I’m just happy and grateful that we won and we could honour him in a good way.”
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
