Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams, has passed away at the age of 25.
The talented player, who featured for the national team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, died on Saturday in Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town.News of Adams’ death spread rapidly on Saturday, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the football community.
The South African Football Association (SAFA), his club, and fellow players have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the loss of a young athlete widely regarded as one of the country’s brightest prospects.
Adams, born on May 5, 2001, in Cape Town, rose through the ranks to become a key central midfielder and occasional winger for Mamelodi Sundowns. He earned nine caps for South Africa, scoring two international goals, and delivered strong performances during the recent World Cup campaign that saw Bafana Bafana advance to the knockout stages.
Family representatives and his guardian confirmed the news, with spokesperson Brendine Johnson urging respect for the family’s privacy during this difficult time. The exact cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. Just weeks earlier, Adams had shown remarkable resilience by playing in a crucial World Cup match shortly after the passing of his grandmother.
The football world mourns the untimely end of a career full of promise. South Africa has lost not only a talented player but a symbol of hope for the next generation of its national sport.
