Adams backs Mokoena-less Bafana against South Korea: ‘You have to man up’

In Pachuca, Mexico 

Jayden Adams talks in the same way he plays.

Every word of the Bafana Bafana midfielder is measured, like his well-weighted passes. His tone is calm, like he is on the field where he operates on a different time zone to the rest.

When everyone is huffing and puffing in the centre of the field, Adams glides as his boots are skates and he is on an ice rink.

Adams isn’t garrulous, but the few words he uses deliver a punch.

On the field, he isn’t that vocal either. However, he is effective in what he does with limited touches.

This has seen the 25-year-old quickly take over the Themba Zwane playmaking throne in just over a year since joining Mamelodi Sundowns from Stellenbosch FC.

His slow start at Sundowns last year cost Adams a place in the Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco late last year.

READ | How the real Bafana stirred at World Cup: ‘I don’t want to experience pain like that again’

Adams used that omission as fuel to come back stronger to the national team. He opened up about that rejection in true Adams style, without saying a lot but doing enough to drive the point home with as few words as possible.

“To focus on myself, I went home (in Cape Town) during the Afcon break,” Adams said.

“Not making it to the Afcon squad disappointed me a bit. I came back, reflected on where I was and when I returned to playing, I gave it my all.”

Adams also cut his hair during that break, returning with a bold look. Bold Adams has been sensational.

He was Sundowns’ creative livewire in their march to CAF Champions League glory, doing enough to muscle his way back to Bafana and earn a place in the 26-man World Cup squad.

“I am a grootman now,” Adams chirped in March when he was asked about the