SUPERSPORT United rode a wave of emotion to advance in the Telkom Knockout at the weekend, but the devastating effect of Thomas Madigage's death was obvious on the club's sad day.

There was a sombre atmosphere around the team before the match away against Ajax Cape Town in the Knockout Cup at Athlone Stadium and little celebration after as Madigage, who spent more than a decade at the club and recently left to join Bafana Bafana, was remembered by players and coaches.

"I felt we needed to train on Friday morning (just hours after the news about Madigage's car crash broke). We then had a meeting on how to break the news to the players," said United coach Gavin Hunt.

"I'm so cut up about what happened. We were good mates. It was hard for me and for the players. It is going to be a tough week," he added as plans were being made for Madigage's funeral.

Before the match the coach said the focus was on "just getting through the match" and overcoming the difficulty of having to play so soon after the devastating news.

Before the game the players held up a large banner emblazoned with his picture and did the same again after clinching victory over Ajax on a post-match penalty shootout.

Madigage was remembered across all Telkom Knockout matches at the weekend with a minute of silence before kickoff.

• Madigage will be buried in Driekop, Limpopo, on Saturday.