Jayden Adams has learnt the hard way that he had to get out of his comfort zone to be one of the best, and that’s why he’s grateful for the lessons.
Adams has been one of the best players for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana over the last few months.
But that nearly wasn’t the case.
Adams was comfortable with being the main man at Stellenbosch, so much so that it nearly jeopardised his growth.
▫️ Relebohile Mofokeng: born in October 2004
▫️ Jayden Adams: born in May 2001
The Bafana Bafana boys were balling tonight 👶💫#WCQ pic.twitter.com/jrJPHZkcGK
For some time last season, the 23-year-old was rumoured to be on the radar of the reigning PSL champions Sundowns.
But that didn’t materialise until earlier this year, after signing a bumper deal that set tongues wagging not only in Mzansi, but across the continent.
He was, after all, one of the men behind Stellies’ third-place finish in the Premiership, Carling Knockout triumph and CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final qualification.
But after his move to the Brazilians materialised at the 11th hour, Adams admitted it wasn’t easy to jump with joy as there was a lot he needed to consider.
“I think Sundowns had been looking for me for some time,” Adams said on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s CAF Champions League semi-final first leg against Al Ahly at Loftus Versfeld (3pm kick-off).
“My agent called me, and he said I must pack my bags the next day.
“I was upset because it was short notice. I spoke to my girlfriend and child firstly, because they live with me and are close with me. Fortunately, I had to do my job.”
✅ Goal for country 🇿🇦
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 28, 2025
✅ Goal for club 🟡
It's Jayden Adams season in Mzansi 😏⚡
📺 Stream #NedbankCup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQWD1K pic.twitter.com/oCDyZgWrAP
Adams has been doing his job at Sundowns so well that he’s now one of the first players on coach Miguel Cardoso’s starting line-up with every passing game.
He concedes, though, that having his girlfriend and child with him in Gauteng has helped him to adapt seamlessly.
“I think that helps a lot, because if you have your loved ones around you, you just feel at home,” he added.
“So, when you go onto the field, you do your best and let the team do the rest (to get the result) as well.”
Adams has also found brotherly love within his teammates because if it wasn’t for them, he doesn’t think he’d have quickly learnt the culture of the club.
Still in his prime, many believe that Adams still has his best days ahead of him.
That’s why he’s best suited to succeed club captain Themba Zwane at Sundowns.
Zwane, 35, is in the twilight of his career and has been battling with injuries, having been sidelined since late last year.
Adams, though, is not getting carried away, thinking that he can fill in the big shoes of Zwane.
Instead, he’s happy to have him around at the Brazilians and Bafana.
“Mshishi plays a big role (in my growth). He’s coming back onto the field, and we missed him, especially me,” Adams explained.
“I haven’t played with him since I got here. But he has told me to be myself, play with confidence and do my thing.”
He who scores in the big moments, Peter Shalulile does it again 🤌
That ball from Jayden Adams though 👀🔥
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Adams’ confidence has also grown in the national team, especially after making an impressive return, scoring in back-to-back Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin recently.
The creative midfielder had initially been frozen out of the team by Bafana coach Hugo Broos following acts of ill-discipline ahead of a camp late last year.
But since learning from his mistakes and taking the punishment in good faith, Adams is eager to use the second chance wisely.
“It feels as if I haven’t been out for a while. They welcomed me like I wasn’t out for a while,” Adams explained.
“The coach did punish me, and I did my punishment.
“I also think that when I got back, my performance didn’t give him a reason for him to put me out of the team.
“It was an eye-opener for me to do better, and fixed my attitude. I did that, and I am now in the team, so I am thankful to God for that.”
Adams will be eager to continue doing better when Sundown host Al Ahly on Saturday in Pretoria.