Mamelodi Sundowns' Jayden Adams has been in fine form recently for club and country.
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Midfielder Jayden Adams has proven to be a ‘saviour’ of some sorts for both Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana in recent days, scoring crucial goals.
Adams found the back of the net in back-to-back games for Bafana during their World Cup qualifiers last week, securing victories against Lesotho and Benin. He then carried his form into club football, scoring the decisive goal late in extra time to help the Brazilians defeat Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final.
It has been an impressive few days for the 23-year-old, justifying why Sundowns went all out to sign him from Stellenbosch in January. Now, he will need to take his blistering form and goal-scoring abilities to the continental stage as Sundowns return to the CAF Champions League in Pretoria this week.
Sundowns will host Esperance in the first leg of the quarter-final on Tuesday (kick-off 3pm) in a match they must win to take a step closer to the semi-finals. This contest will also serve as a chance for revenge, as Esperance — then coached by Sundowns’ current manager Miguel Cardoso — eliminated them in the semi-finals last season.
That is why Cardoso and his team will put their faith in Adams to continue his fine form on Africa’s grandest stage. Many believe Sundowns signed Adams specifically for continental football, as he arrived just in time for CAF’s player registration window.
“In football, it’s not the speed of the players that’s important, but the speed of the ball,” said Cardoso, of Adams’ abilities after the win over Sekhukhune in Atteridgeville.
“So, if you move the opponent with quick passes and penetration — putting the ball into spaces, interchanging, and scanning around — you increase the speed of play. It’s the speed of the game that creates a lot of problems for the opponent. Jayden is a player who can generate that speed.
“He’s been doing well. I said when Jayden arrived that he had to raise his intensity and prove himself at the club. He has imposed himself gradually.”
However, Cardoso has warned Adams not to become complacent, even as fans—including those of rival teams—praise his rapid development.
“There are a lot of players we can substitute him with — he mustn’t get too comfortable. There are others pushing for his place,” Cardoso said.
“But he’s giving good performances. So, he’s a player we can trust, and he’s a great lad. I still think he can raise his level because he’s still young.
“He arrived at a club where the demands are higher. He still has to adapt since he only joined in January. But I am very happy with what he did for the national team. I’m pleased with his performances, and I hope he can continue this form.”
Cardoso is expected to field his strongest team on Tuesday, having rested some regulars against Sekhukhune due to their limited preparation time following international duty.
Another boost for Sundowns is that the match will be played at Loftus Versfeld, which will be in top condition after being restored following its recent poor state.
Sundowns had been forced to play at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in recent weeks due to the deteriorating pitch at Loftus, which they share with rugby franchise The Blue Bulls.
“I always prefer to play at Loftus, but only when it’s in good condition. I’ve been open about that since day one,” Cardoso said.
“I’ve been advocating for pitches to be in perfect condition — the height of the turf, the watering of the pitch. I always defend football.”