CAFCL: ‘Lupopo confused Sundowns’ – Jayden Adams

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has reflected on his performance and that of the South African team in Sunday’s one-all draw against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The 24-year-old admitted that the Linafoot Ligue 1 giants took the Betway Premiership champions by surprise with their game-plan during the CAF Champions’ League (CAFCL) Group C contest.

🇿🇦 El Mamelodi Sundowns evitó el papelón en la Champions Africana. Sacó un empate ante el St. Eloi Lupopo 🇨🇩 y si perdía se quedaba afuera en fase de grupos. Ahora define en la última fecha.pic.twitter.com/7FIxqcFjFc

— Nahuel Lanzón (@nahuelzn) February 8, 2026

Speaking to Sundowns’ media, the former Stellenbosch FC star said the Lubumbashi-based opponents made life difficult for Miguel Cardoso’s side by overloading the midfield.

“It was a very intensive game. In the first-half, we kept the ball well, but they played with four in the midfield, and it made us confused. As the game went on, the players and the coaches gave us another game-plan, and it worked,” Adams said.

How Lupopo stifled Sundowns

The Bafana Bafana prospect then explained how Sundowns adapted to the hosts’ approach at TP Mazembe Stadium.

“In the second half, we were up controlling the game, and I think they got tired a bit, and it was a lot of spaces so we profited from there,” he explained.

Reflecting on his equalizing goal from a set-piece, Adams shared the thought- process in the buildup to the headed effort.

“I am used to scoring those goals, but normally at the near-post, but I thought, I will go back-post. The ball landed there, and it worked,” he said, while sharing how they want to approach the decisive game against MC Alger this Saturday.

“I am very happy with the performance. As a team, the boys did well. We worked our socks off. So, we must go all out [in the next game]. We need to win that one, but the preparation must be very good and we must recover. We look forward to the next one.”