South Africa’s Midfielder, Jayden Adams Dies At 25
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder started the tournament opener, a 2-0 defeat by Mexico, and the 1-1 draw with Czechs republic and was substituted in both matches. He started from the bench in the 1-0 win against South Korea, but sat out the whole minutes of their 1-0 last-32 defeat by Canada.
The minister of sport, Gayton McKenzie, released a statement saying: “It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams, midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana, at the age of 25.
“South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents, and our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international.”
The minister did not disclose a cause of death. Police said they had opened an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was found at a house in Schotsche Kloof, a suburb in central Cape Town, on Saturday morning. “Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation,” the Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk told AFP.
The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, said: “It’s so incredibly sad to hear that South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has passed away just weeks after featuring in his nation’s historic World Cup campaign. My thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at Fifa and the global football community, are with his family, friends and teammates. The Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns star will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.”
Adams came through Stellenbosch’s youth system, becoming their first academy product to sign a professional contract. He made 139 appearances for the club, helping them lift the 2023 Carling Knockout, before completing his move to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025.
