Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite paid tribute to the astonishing fans support for helping the Reds deliver their first Hyundai A-League championship against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.
More than 50,000 fans crammed into a heaving Adelaide Oval as the Reds triumphed 3-1 in a gripping decider.
First-half goals to Bruce Kamau and Joe Marston medallist Isaias had the home side cruising at the break before the Wanderers threatened another epic fightback.
Scott Neville pulled one back with a stunning strike but super-sub Pablo Sanchez sent the home fans into raptures in the last minute with a match-sealing strike.
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“This [result] is testament to everyone involved in the club,” an ecstatic Djite told Fox Sports at full-time.
“There’s 5000 Wanderers fans here, but we came 45,000 deep and there was no one that was going to beat us today.
“Finally [we did it]. It’s been a long time,” he added.
“The Wanderers played well, they made it difficult, especially in the second half but what a team. I said it last week we’re a fantastic family.
“We came against a good team but there’s something special about this group. And a message to the owners, re-sign Pablo Sanchez because he is an absolute gem.”
While the championship triumph is the culmination of years of hard work for the likes of Djite and skipper Eugene Galekovic, it’s been a dream season for youngster Kamau.
The Kenyan-born 21-year-old has started just a handful of games in the Hyundai A-League but produced a superb performance, opening the scoring midway through the first half.
“This is the best moment of my career so far,” Kamau said.
“It’s fantastic, bringing the city their first championship and with the bunch of boys we have makes it even better.
“Guillermo [coach Gui Amor] put faith in me and I think I’ve repaid him with my performances on the pitch. The boys out there they helped me so much, it’s an experienced group it was made easy by them and the coach.”
