Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso dedicated the club’s historic victory to the late Jayden Adams and injured defender Khuliso Mudau.

The Brazilians managed to secure a 2-1 victory over Al-Ahli at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

A brace from Nuno Santos saw Sundowns secure the win to advance in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, where they will now face the winner of the Derby of the Americas between Mexican side Toluca.

Cardoso hailed the achievement as a special one for Sundowns, thanking the players, supporters and club leadership for a moment he believes will live in the club’s history forever.

“In this moment, let’s look in the sky and embrace our brother Jayden Adams. It’s his soul today that gave us the strength and let’s remind Khuliso Mudau that’s also his injury. It’s important we respect the game, but we don’t respect no one,” Cardoso told SuperSport after the game.

“Don’t take me wrong, I mean respect what’s happening in the pitch, fight harder to have the ball, be humble for that but be proud to be yourselves. I said I want 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 this beautiful people here, all of them, for our chairman, the players, Mr Flemming, beautiful moment.

“Let’s embrace also because it’s a beautiful moment today, it’s a big, big one this one that will stay in the history forever,” Cardoso concluded.