Former Kaizer Chiefs player hails Mamelodi Sundowns star Jayden Adams' 'football intelligence' and insists he must be Bafana Bafana regular starter - 'He reminds of Andres Iniesta'

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has expressed his admiration for Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams and urged Hugo Broos to recall the player to the Bafana Bafana squad.

The Brazilians attacking midfielder was dropped from Broos' rejuvenated team in October 2024 while he was still with Stellenbosch FC due to what the Belgian no-nonsense mentor termed as "bad behaviour" from the lad.

However, amidst his remarkable performances for new club Sundowns, Khanye has asserted that Broos has no reason to leave Adams behind ahead of the resumption of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign in March.

"I will confirm today, Sundowns have the best, best central midfielders. Even if they play [Sphelele] Mkhulise, I think let me start speaking about their starting 11. Their midfield starts the game and finishes the game," Khanye said per iDiski Times.

"Jayden Adams, [Teboho] Mokoena, and [Marcelo] Allende – untouchable! There’s balance in their game and you know Mokoena links between defence and attack. Both of them join in the box and lately, Allende takes shots, and he scored lately now – well done to Sundowns.

"The Sundowns that I know, in the midfield they keep the shape, keep the ball not entering the box. Jayden Adams has football intelligence. That guy reminds me of [Andres] Iniesta from Spain and I think he’s got football intelligence," explained the iDiski TV analyst.

"This boy, if we were fair enough, I think in the national team he has to start and finish even if he doesn’t finish the game, but he has to start. If there’s other players like [Sphephelo] Sithole playing ahead of Adams, then football is not fair. For me, he had to start the game and then coach Hugo Broos could decide," he added.

"He’s [Adams] brought another dimension at Sundowns. Box-to-box. He’s got the energy. He doesn’t lose the ball, awareness, and vision. Technically, he knows football and well done to him that he complements Mokoena, also Allende. A different class of player. He’s not the type of player that passes to the sides. Also, thanks to him that he’s coachable."

Adams joined Miguel Cardoso's Sundowns from Steve Barker's dynamic team Stellenbosch FC during the 2025 January transfer window.

Upon his arrival at the Tshwane giants, many football fans voiced skepticism regarding his transfer, stressing that his playing opportunities would be limited given the quality of players Masandawana boast.

Nevertheless, the 23-year-old Cape Town-born talent has swiftly adapted to life at the reigning Premier Soccer League champions. He has scored two goals in eight competitive matches for Downs so far.

Broos is expected to announce his preliminary squad soon for the two upcoming Bafana 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin, with Adams hoping to make a return to the national team setup.

For the time being, the highly regarded midfielder Adams will concentrate on helping Sundowns pursue the club's eighth league title in a row, and keeping them on track in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals.

By April thoughts will turn to the biggest prize on the continent when the Pretoria club are due to meet MC Alger in the Caf Champions League quarterfinal as The Brazilians chase their second star.

And there's the small matter of the Fifa Club World Cup to fight for in June this year.