Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams admits pressure ahead of CAF Champions League final

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams says there is a lot of pressure on his outfit to deliver the CAF Champions League title as they gears up for blockbuster final against AS FAR Rabat.

The South African giants will host the first leg of the blockbuster continental final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, May 17, 2026, before travelling to Morocco for the decisive reverse fixture a week later.

The encounter is expected to be fiercely contested, with both clubs aiming to secure an advantage before the return leg in Rabat next weekend.

Sundowns head into the final determined to reclaim the African crown and erase the disappointment of previous continental setbacks, while AS FAR arrive equally motivated to cement their status among Africa’s elite clubs.

The midfielder, who joined Sundowns from Stellenbosch, has become one of the Brazilians’ most influential players this season but has also developed a reputation for reckless challenges in recent weeks.

Adams came under scrutiny after being sent off in Sundowns’ PSL clash against Kaizer Chiefs earlier this month following a dangerous tackle on Mduduzi Shabalala.

The red card has clearly remained on the midfielder’s mind heading into one of the biggest matches of his career, with Adams admitting he is wary of making another costly mistake on such a grand stage.

“It plays a lot on my mind because this is a big one, you know. You have to be really careful and you don’t want to put your team in a situation they don’t want to be in, but if I put that behind me it should be good,” Adams said ahead of Sunday’s showdown in Pretoria.

The CAF Champions League final presents Sundowns with an opportunity to rescue what has otherwise been a frustrating campaign in terms of silverware under coach Miguel Cardoso.

Despite dominating domestically in recent years, the Tshwane giants have faced mounting pressure this season, making continental success even more significant for the club.

“There’s a lot of pressure on us because we haven’t won anything this season, but the pressure is a privilege for us and we are going to show up and do our best,” he added.

Adams also pointed to the importance of securing qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup, which would further underline the significance of winning the continental title.

“In terms of the league, we are still top of the log so the pressure is on them. If we win on Sunday we can qualify for the Club World Cup which will be a massive achievement for us.”