An adapter for a motor head of an electric submersible pump enables a motor head having a pothole and cutaway to provide a direct-connect for a motor lead extension cable run downhole to the motor section of the pump. The adapter has a curved conduit independent of the motor head that positions adjacent the side of the motor head in the provided cutaway. The conduit's downhole end affixes (bolts) to the motor head with the end disposing in the pothole of the motor head. The conduit's uphole end affixes (bolts) adjacent the uphole end of the motor head. A termination block disposed in the conduit's uphole has sockets that are electrically connected to motor components via internal leads running through the conduit and the pothole. A mating termination on the end of a motor lead extension cable affixes (bolts) to the conduit's uphole end, and pin on the termination electrically couple to the sockets to convey power to the motor section.