SOUTH AFRICA, MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STAR JAYDEN ADAMS DIES AT 25
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
South Africa international and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, just weeks after representing his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, announced the news on Saturday, describing Adams’ passing as a devastating loss to the nation’s football community.
In a statement, McKenzie paid tribute to the midfielder, saying South African football had lost one of its brightest young talents and that the country mourned alongside his family, teammates and supporters.
According to the BBC, South African police have launched an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was discovered at a residence in Schotschekloof, a suburb in central Cape Town, on Saturday morning.
The sports minister urged the public and the media to avoid speculation while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding Adams’ death.
He stressed that no official cause of death had been established and said further information would be released by the appropriate authorities when available.
Adams recently featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping Bafana Bafana reach the knockout stage for the first time before the team was eliminated by co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32.
During the tournament, he also drew admiration after starting South Africa’s 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic just hours after learning of his grandmother’s death.
The South African Football Players Union described his passing as a huge loss to the country’s football fraternity.
Adams made his senior international debut in 2022 and was a member of the South African squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
He began his professional career with Stellenbosch FC before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025, where he helped the club win the South African league title and the CAF Champions League.
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