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Jaydan Adams 16-9
Dingizwe Gwala

PSL transfer focus: Joining Mamelodi Sundowns from Stellenbosch FC might be career suicide by Bafana Bafana young talent Jayden Adams

Bafana Bafana youngster Jayden Adams is about to make a grave mistake if he joins PSL defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns from Stellenbosch.

Sometimes, you can’t help but sit back and wonder: what exactly are some players thinking when they decide to join Mamelodi Sundowns? Take Jayden Adams, for example - that's if the move from Stellenbosch FC to Chloorkop will materialize as it looks as good as done. In his position, there’s more than enough cover, and Sundowns could field three different starting line-ups, with Adams still struggling to make the cut.

It’s a familiar pattern at Chloorkop - players come in with promises of glory, told they’ll be the centrepiece of the team, only to quickly fade into the shadows. Think of names like George Lebese, George Maluleka, Aubrey Ngoma, and many others who’ve come and gone, left with nothing but unfulfilled promises.

Join us at GOAL as we take a closer look at some of Sundowns’ biggest flops and non-starters, and why Adams might have been wise to learn from their missteps.

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  • Kegan Johannes, Mamelodi Sundowns, July 2024Mamelodi Sundowns

    A forgotten Kegan Johannes

    At just 23 years old, Kegan Johannes is yet to make an impact at Sundowns. In fact, it’s easy to forget he even plays for the club. After moving from SuperSport United, Johannes arrived fairly out of shape and was hit by injury setbacks. By the time he recovered, it was clear he had little chance of dislodging established stars like Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena at right-back or competing with the more seasoned Grant Kekana, Mosa Lebusa, and Mothobi Mvala in central defence. His move to Sundowns, even with the injuries, just never seemed to make sense.

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  • Thapelo Maseko and Nyiko Mobbie, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Sekhukhune UnitedBackpage

    Thapelo Maseko fading away

    Thapelo Maseko’s pace was enough to turn heads when he emerged as a teenager at SuperSport United. Sundowns swooped in, and the young talent appeared poised for greatness. But in a squad brimming with experience, Maseko quickly found himself struggling to break into the first team. Even his burst of form, which saw him win Most Valuable Player and top scorer honours in the pilot African Football League, couldn’t help him cement a regular spot. Now 21, Maseko should be playing week-in, week-out, but instead, he’s slowly fading into the background, making only a handful of league appearances each season.

  • Kobamelo Kodisang, Mamelodi Sundowns, September 2024Backpagepix

    Kobamelo Kodisang's limp start

    When Kobamelo Kodisang joined Sundowns from Portugal’s Moreirense, many were left scratching their heads. A 25-year-old leaving one of Europe’s most competitive leagues to fight for a place in a team already packed with established stars? It’s a tough sell. Despite his impressive 31 appearances in Portugal, Kodisang has struggled to even get a look-in at Sundowns, with only seven appearances to his name since making the move. He’s found himself sidelined in a squad where breaking into the first team is no easy feat.

  • Percy Tau, Al AhlyBackpage

    Never arrived at the promised land

    Sundowns’ track record with developing young talent is, frankly, inconsistent. While players like Percy Tau have gone on to achieve international success, others, like the late Motjeka Madisha, are seen as missed opportunities. Promise Mkhuma is another example of a promising youngster who failed to reach his full potential under Sundowns' watch. After languishing at the club for seasons without significant game time, Mkhuma has since left as a free agent, his career at a crossroads.

  • Jayden Adams, Stellenbosch, September 2024.BackPagePix

    Wrong football decision

    Adams, no doubt, is confident in his abilities, believing he can make an impact at Sundowns. But let’s be realistic: with a new coach in charge, Miguel Cardoso is unlikely to make any drastic changes at this point. It would take a brave move for Cardoso to bench established stars like Teboho Mokoena or Bathusi Aubaas for Adams. Even at national team level, Adams is far from a regular. He’s further down the pecking order than he might like to admit.

    There’s, of course, the financial allure of joining Sundowns - a fact that can’t be ignored, especially for a 22-year-old looking to secure his future in the short-lived world of professional football. But from a footballing perspective, it’s hard to see how this move benefits Adams unless he is ready to collect gold medals while sitting in the stands like goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse.

  • Lucas Ribeiro, Bathusi Aubaas and Jayden Adams. May 2024. BackPagePix

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