Cardoso: Adams Is Deceptively Quick

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso cautions against underestimating Jayden Adams, noting that while his playing style may appear leisurely, he possesses the ability to significantly accelerate the game’s tempo.

Cardoso emphasizes his desire for Adams to consistently perform at a higher level, given the demanding environment at Sundowns, a club renowned for its trophy-winning ambitions.

Adams is currently enjoying a successful period, both with Sundowns and the national team, Bafana Bafana. He scored in Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 victories over Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium and Benin on Tuesday in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Upon returning from international duty, Adams, as a substitute, secured Sundowns’ 1-0 win against Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday.

Sundowns will now face Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semifinal, but Cardoso did not need Adams’s services against Sekhukhune and wanted him to rest since they have a big game in the CAF Champions League against Esperance at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday.  

“It is not the speed of the players that is important, but the speed of the ball,” Cardoso explained. 

“So, if we move the opponents with quick passing, finding the right spaces, changing from one side to the other, looking at players where they are, be able to connect with them, then you increase a lot of speed in the game. 

“It is a speed of the game that creates problem to the opponents and Jayden is a player that can increase a lot the speed of the game, he has been doing pretty well.  

“I confess to you and most heard me speaking of Jayden when he arrived at Sundowns, I said he will have to raise his intensity level and prove himself to play at Sundowns. 

“He has been doing well, he has imposed himself gradually, and we have more players to substitute him, he should not be that comfortable because the other ones are also pushing strong. 

“But he is giving good answers, and he is a player that we trust. He is a good boy; I think he can raise the level even more because he is young. 

“He arrived at the club where the demands are higher, he still at the adaptation phase since he joined in January. So, it is two to three months working with us. 

“So, I’m pretty happy with what he did in the national team, pretty happy about what is he doing. Let’s hope he can continue with that sequence.”    

The 23-year-old, who signed a contract with Sundowns until 2028, has made 14 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring three goals.