Mamelodi Sundowns consider midfield reinforcement after Jayden Adams’ death

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has suggested the club could strengthen its midfield after the unexpected death of Jayden Adams, with the reigning CAF Champions League holders facing a demanding season.

Adams died last month at the age of 25, only weeks after representing Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His passing has left Sundowns without a player who made a significant contribution to their successful CAF Champions League campaign last season.

The midfielder joined Sundowns from Stellenbosch FC in 2025 and quickly became an important part of the team. Cardoso has now acknowledged the scale of the gap created by Adams’ absence, while also highlighting a series of other problems affecting his squad.

Speaking after Masandawana’s 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, the Portuguese coach said the club had already been forced to cope with several unexpected changes during the campaign.

“We are just starting, you need also to understand that this team suffered some changes by accident. We lost Keanu (Cupido) by injury, that was a very important asset in our organisation,” Cardoso said.

Keanu Cupido’s injury has added to the disruption in Sundowns’ defensive organisation, but Cardoso indicated that the loss of Adams had created an even greater issue in midfield.

“We lost our love, Jayden (Adams), and that is a bigger breach, obviously, in the midfield,” he explained.

The coach did not confirm that Sundowns would make a signing, but said the club would assess whether it was possible to add a player capable of providing greater depth and flexibility in the centre of the pitch.

“Let’s see if we will still be able to bring someone that can also cover a little bit more options in the middle, as we are going to go for a high level of demand in terms of lots of games.”

Cardoso also offered an update on the condition of Nuno Santos, saying the player was not currently at his best and that there were issues affecting him.

“Nuno (Santos) is not in the best moment, there are some issues, so the team suffered,” he added.

The coach further noted that Teboho Mokoena had missed Sundowns’ previous two matches, another absence that has restricted his options as the club negotiates a busy schedule.

“Teboho (Mokoena) did not play the last two matches.”

Sundowns’ draw with Kaizer Chiefs underlined the challenges facing the side as they attempt to maintain their high standards despite injuries, absences and the emotional impact of Adams’ death.

Cardoso also urged those around the team not to assume that success would follow automatically, stressing that Sundowns still had to work through the difficulties confronting them.

“I think that it’s also important that people around, instead of thinking that everything is automatic, it’s not automatic.”