Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Miguel Cardoso Opens Up on Jayden Adams' Death: 'I Struggle to Survive'
- Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso revealed how deeply Jayden Adams's death affected him personally
- Cardoso spoke about his own traumatic history with loss and how it shaped his response to the team's grief
- The Portuguese coach described the emotional steps he took to support players who grew up alongside Adams
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Source: Getty Images
PRETORIA — Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has spoken candidly about the profound toll that Jayden Adams's death took on him, admitting that he has long struggled to cope with loss.
Adams, a former Stellenbosch midfielder who joined Sundowns, died in July 2026 shortly after Bafana Bafana returned from the FIFA World Cup. He was 25 years old.
The shock of his passing prompted Sundowns to postpone their pre-season tour of Austria. The PSL subsequently delayed the club's opening Betway Premiership fixture against Marumo Gallants to allow the squad additional time to grieve.
Miguel Cardoso's personal battle with grief
Cardoso said Adams’s death brought back painful memories from his own past. The Sundowns coach recalled losing his grandmother and grandfather within two days, describing the experience as deeply traumatic.
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“I confess I struggled a lot; I have a lot of difficulty dealing with death, a lot,” Cardoso said in an interview on Sundowns’ official YouTube channel, as quoted by KickOff.
He said the pain eventually gave way to “love and acceptance”, but admitted that returning to those memories remained difficult.
“When I go back to those moments, I struggle to survive,” he said.
Rather than hide his emotions from the squad, Cardoso allowed himself to grieve openly and encouraged his players to do the same.
“I don't worry if you see me crying; let me cry. If you need to cry, cry,” he said.
Cardoso added:
“I have no problem exposing myself to the pain; I have no problem showing my players my emotions.”
Source: Getty Images
Extra care for Adams's closest teammates
Cardoso also described the individual attention he gave players with a personal connection to Adams. Particularly those who came through the ranks at Stellenbosch alongside him. He cited Fawaaz Basadien, Kegan Johannes, Antonio Van Wyk, Tashreeq Matthews and Iqraam Rayners as players who received extra support during the mourning period.
The coach added that grieving together as a group during the difficult weeks in Austria ultimately brought the squad closer, with the club continuing to honour Adams through their performances on the field.
Life, career and business coach Penny Holburn expressed her condolences to Miguel Cardoso and everyone affected by Jayden Adams’ passing, emphasising the importance of supporting people through grief and emotional distress.
“My heart goes out to Miguel Cardoso and everyone affected by Jayden Adams’ passing. As I have said before, trauma and bereavement can affect anyone’s mental wellbeing,” Holburn said.
“We must remember to support one another during such difficult times and ensure that people are not left alone when they are struggling. Sometimes, they need those around them to recognise the signs and help them get the support they need,” she added.
Jayden Adams’s final resting place honours his Sundowns legacy
Briefly News previously reported that Jayden Adams’s final resting place carries a touching connection to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The unveiled tombstone features an image of the late midfielder lifting the CAF Champions League trophy in the club’s colours.
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Source: Briefly News
