Jayden Adams talks about his recent difficult period with Mamelodi Sundowns and how he got through it!

Mamelodi Sundowns star talks about how he got back into his best form.

Africa 02 March 2026 at 04:14

Jayden Adams has opened up on the difficult spell that saw him fall out of favour at Mamelodi Sundowns, losing his place in the starting eleven and watching from the sidelines during a crucial period for both club and country.

The 24-year-old midfielder began the season with regular minutes but gradually slipped down the pecking order under coach Miguel Cardoso, struggling to make the same impact in games. His form eventually cost him a spot in South Africa’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations—a sharp contrast to the previous edition in Ivory Coast, where he had been part of the bronze-medal-winning team.

Since the turn of 2026, however, Adams has fought his way back. A string of improved performances, including a man-of-the-match display in Sundowns’ 3–1 victory over Sekhukhune United, has reignited hopes of a return to the national setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With Bafana Bafana set to face Panama in upcoming international friendlies, Adams will be watching closely to see if his resurgence has caught the attention of coach Hugo Broos.

The criticism he faced during his downturn was sharp, with some questioning whether his move from Stellenbosch in January 2025 had been a misstep. Adams admits the period tested him.

"It was a very difficult ordeal for me," he said. "Yeah, I got a break and focused on myself, and when I came back, I did my best. I got my opportunity, and I took it with both hands."

His chances of a recall may be complicated by the emergence of Relebohile Mofokeng, who has impressed in a similar creative role at Orlando Pirates and could be Broos’ preferred option in that position. Still, with the World Cup on the horizon, depth will be essential—and Adams is positioning himself to be part of the conversation once again.