Ricardo Ade (pictured) and Haiti's Don Bosco FC will play in the 2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
Earlier this month, Haiti’s Don Bosco FC earned a berth in the 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League after defeating Arnett Gardens of Jamaica, 2-0, in the match for third place at the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship.
In four tournament matches, Don Bosco conceded only two goals and standout defender Ricardo Ade played in every minute of the campaign.
No team from Haiti has ever advanced past the Champions League’s group stage.
Will it be different in 2016?
The 26-year-old Ade spoke with CONCACAF.com.
Don Bosco finished in third place at the 2016 Caribbean Club Championship to qualify for the 2016/17 CONCACAF Champions League. What does that accomplishment mean to the club?
We really wanted to that qualification…not only for the club, but for all of Haiti, as well.
How would you assess the team's performances in the Caribbean Club Championship?
I thought the team was great. Physically and tactically, we responded and I think it went really well.
Don Bosco is the third team from Haiti to earn a CONCACAF Champions League berth. What are Don Bosco’s expectations for the competition?
I think, as the third Haitian team to qualify, we’ll do better. As usual, we’re going to work hard in the time that we have to prepare before the Champions League starts. As we try to reach the next stage, we’ll do our best and, hopefully, it’s in our favor.
What are Don Bosco’s strengths as a team?
It’s tough to say where our strengths are, but we’re strong on the right and left wings.
What has been the highlight of your career at the club level?
My favorite memory was winning the Haitian championship with Baltimore of St. Marc in 2011.
What motivates you as a player each day?
What motivates me to keep playing is that I’m doing something that I love. It’s what I do for my job. I’m happy when I’m on the field and I’d like to think I’m bringing something good to other people.
If you could play on the same pitch with any player in the history of football, who would it be and why?
I would like to play with Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s my favorite player. It would be great to measure what I can do. It would be great to compare what he can do and what I can do.
What are your future goals in football?
I’d love to play professionally. I’d love to go abroad and play professionally somewhere else in the world. After my career is over, I’d like to have an academy to teach young players because I never had an opportunity like that. I’d like to help young players have access to the game.
