Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has turned a disciplinary setback into a successful Bafana Bafana return.
After being dropped from Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last year by coach Hugo Broos due to attitude issues – with Broos emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for ill-discipline – Adams admitted he needed to change.
His impressive form for Sundowns earned him a recall, and he marked his return by scoring in both 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, carrying his club form onto the international stage.
Speaking this Thursday morning before Sundowns' CAF Champions League match against Al Ahly this weekend, Adams acknowledged that being excluded was a valuable lesson and that he has since worked on improving his attitude.
Broos' decision to give Adams another chance has proven fruitful, as South Africa now comfortably leads their World Cup qualifying group.
ADAMS – ‘I DID MY PUNISHMENT’
“It's like I was not out for a while. They welcomed me like I was not out for a while. The coach did punish me. I did my punishment. When I got back, I think my performance didn't give him a decision to put me out of the team,” Adams told media at Chloorkop.
“It was an eye opener for me to do better and to fix my attitude. I did that and now I am back. Thank God for that.”
Adams will be hoping to maintain his spot in the Bafana Bafana team as they are heading to AFCON later this year and perhaps FIFA World Cup next year if they qualify.
