Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams has died at 25. His death comes weeks after he starred for South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Police Open Inquest
Cape Town Central police opened an inquest after officers found a body at a home in Military Road, Schotsche Kloof, on Saturday morning. Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the discovery to local media. He said the body belonged to a 25-year-old man and that circumstances remain under investigation.
Sundowns and the South African Football Players Union later confirmed the victim was Adams. Neither body has disclosed a cause of death publicly. Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie called the loss a shock to the whole country.
“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,” McKenzie said in a statement.
Sundowns asked the media and the public to respect the family’s privacy during this time. The club said in a statement that the Motsepe family and the entire Yellow Nation mourn Adams deeply. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also sent condolences, calling Adams a player who will be sorely missed.
A World Cup Run Shadowed By Grief
Adams started South Africa’s World Cup opener against Mexico before Bafana suffered a 2-0 defeat. His grandmother, Marianna Adams, died in a Stellenbosch hospital the day before the team faced Czechia. Adams still started that match, and Bafana battled to a 1-1 draw in Atlanta.
He then came off the bench in a historic 1-0 win over South Korea. That victory sent South Africa into the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Adams was an unused substitute when Canada eliminated Bafana 1-0 in the round of 32.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan praised Adams for representing his country despite his personal loss.
“This is a massive loss for Jayden’s family, friends and relatives,” Jordaan said.
The South African Football Players Union echoed that tribute in its own statement this week. The union said Adams carried the hopes of the nation with pride and courage throughout the tournament.
From Stellenbosch Academy To Bafana Bafana Star
Born in Cape Town in May 2001, Adams joined the Stellenbosch FC academy as a boy. He signed his first professional contract with the Cape Winelands club in August 2020. Adams made 139 appearances for Stellenbosch, scoring nine goals and setting up ten more.
He helped the club lift the 2023 Carling Knockout, its first major trophy. His form earned him a place in Hugo Broos’ squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana Bafana claimed bronze at that tournament in the Ivory Coast.
Sundowns signed Adams on a three-and-a-half-year deal in January 2025. He became a regular in midfield for the Brazilians, wearing the number eight shirt. Adams helped Sundowns win the Betway Premiership and the CAF Champions League this season.
He dedicated his Champions League medal to former Stellenbosch teammate Oshwin Andries, who died in 2023. Strong club form earned Adams a recall to the Bafana squad after nearly a year away.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also paid tribute, describing Adams as a young man who held the country’s name high: “We are grateful for the joy and victories Jayden has given us as he lived his dream.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from teammates, officials and supporters across South African soccer this weekend.
