Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Roger Feutmba is convinced Jayden Adams deserves to go to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Bafana Bafana.
The 24-year-old Masandawana attacking midfielder is enjoying a resurgence in form after a dip in his performances. The bad patch between the end of August 2025 and December 2025 saw him lose his place in the national team.
It was a difficult period for the player who showed promise at the 2023 AFCON, from where Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis emerged as a future prospect who has now fulfilled his potential to become a key national team member.
But Adams has muscled his way back and is now a regular starter for Masandawana. The former Stellenbosch FC midfielder’s latest exploits had him recently named Man of the Match after the Betway Premiership match against Sekhukhune United in midweek. The return to good form has sparked debate about the player’s qualities to go to the World Cup.
DOES ADAMS GENUINELY DESERVE TO GO TO THE WORLD CUP?
“He is a good player; he has shown that. Remember when Sundowns signed him, he was doing well at Stellenbosch,” Feutmba told FARPost.
“He brought competition in the Sundowns midfield, and that doesn’t make it easy for any midfielder. Yes, he faced some challenges, it’s normal for any football player, and don’t forget the competition at Sundowns. But now he has been doing well, and that’s what the coach [Hugo Broos] is looking for. He is still growing as a player.
“He was in the national team before, and for me it’s a big yes, the door is open for him to go to the World Cup. The coach will rely on players who are in form,” the 1990 World Cup star with Cameroon went on.
“He needs to be consistent, continue playing good games. Football is about consistency. When I look at Adams, he is one of the players who qualify to go to the World Cup. But what I can tell him is that he should continue with this form beyond the World Cup. I wouldn’t want to see any player doing well right now stop after the World Cup simply because they went there.”
MOFOKENG AND ADAMS BOTH COMPETITION AND DEPTH FOR BROOS
There is a buzz around Relebohile Mofokeng’s emergence as a playmaker at Orlando Pirates, and Bafana coach Hugo Broos is also likely to use the 21-year-old winger as a number 10. That would provide competition for Adams as the Belgian tactician is still searching for a reliable playmaker.
Broos might be sweating for Themba Zwane to get back to top form, while other options in this position also include the Pirates duo of Sipho Mbule and Patrick Maswanganyi.
“There are many playmakers in that Bafana midfield. Mofokeng is a great player, no doubt,” added Feutmba.
“There is huge competition in that position. If they [Adams and Mofokeng] keep that consistency, they will both go to the World Cup.”
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