Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso insisted his side respect the game but “don’t respect no one,” after Masandawana produced a fighting display to beat Asia’s champions.
On Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, Nuno Santos scored twice as the African champions won 2-1 against Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup, a stage of the Intercontinental Cup.
Attention now turns to the CAF Champions League second preliminary round in mid-to-late October, when Sundowns meet Angola’s Wiliete SC over two legs as they begin their title defence.
“Look, in this moment, let’s look at the sky and embrace our brother Jayden Adams,” Cardoso said.
“It is so great that today he gave us the extra strength. It’s important we respect the game, but we don’t respect no one. Don’t take me wrong.
“I mean playing, believing in us, respect what’s happening in the pitch, work hard when we had the ball, be humble for that but be pride and proud to be yourself,” the Portuguese tactician continued.
“I told [the players] I want to see Sundowns on the pitch today and we had it. Thank you very much South Africa, thank you very much Mamelodi Sundowns.
“This one is for these beautiful people here, all of them. For our chairman, for the players, Mr Flemming [Berg].”
