On Saturday, July 11, 2026 it was reported that Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that this is happening just weeks after featuring for his country, South Africa at the 2026 World Cup.
Recall that Adams featured in all three of South Africa’s group games at the tournament, where they reached the knockout stages before losing to co-hosts Canada in the round of 32.
Announcing Adam’s death, South Africa’s minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie said, in a statement that “it is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams.”
“South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents, and our nation mourns alongside his family, his team-mates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international.”
Findings by our reporter showed that Police in South Africa confirmed they had opened an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was found at a house in Schotschekloof, a suburb in central Cape Town, on Saturday morning.
McKenzie further said that “the cause of Jayden’s passing has not yet been confirmed, and I wish to appeal to members of the media and the public to exercise restraint and compassion, and to refrain from speculation, while his family and Mamelodi Sundowns are given the space and privacy they need at this incredibly difficult time.
“Any official information will be communicated by the appropriate parties in due course.”
Recall also that Adams started in playing with Czech Republic despite learning that his grandma has passed away few hours before the match.The said match ended with the 1-1 draw.
Adam’s early life
Jayden Oswin Adams was born on 5 May 2001 and grew up in Cloetesville, a poor area of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Adams started his career at Stellenbosch FC, before moving to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025, where he won league and African Champions League titles.
He was part of the South Africa squad that reached the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals before being called up to Hugo Broos’ squad for the World Cup, where the team made history in reaching the knockout stages of the competition for the first time.
Club
Adams came through the academy of Stellenbosch and signed a long-term contract in August 2020, becoming the club’s first academy graduate to sign a contract professionally.
He made his senior debut later that month as a substitute in a 1–1 draw at home against Chippa United on 28 August.
Mamelodi Sundowns
In January 2025, Adams joined Mamelodi Sundows where he won the South African Premiership in his first season with the club.
In May 2026, Mamelodi won the 2026 CAF Champions League.
International Career
His international career started in a game against Mozambique in 2022.
He was named to the South Africa squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He featured in all of his team’s group-stage matches in Group A during the tournament. He started in the game against Mexico in Mexico City on 11 June, which ended in a 2-0 loss, and against the Czech Republic on 18 June, which ended in a 1–1 draw.
He came in as a substitute on 24 June, when Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey. He did not appear during the 0–1 loss to Canada in the round of 32.
Adams scored two goals in 13 games for South Africa throughout his international career.
Adam’s Death
Adams was found dead in a hotel in Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town on 11 July 2026, at the age of 25, of unknown causes.
His death was confirmed by his representatives and guardian, with family spokesperson Brendine Johnson requesting privacy on behalf of the family.
Jayden Adams and his partner, Aqueelah Adendorf, had a daughter who was aged 5 at the time of his death.
FIFA held a moment of silence in Adams’ honour during the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
South African Football Players Union mourns Adams
The South African Football Players Union in their reaction described the incident as “devastated by the untimely passing” of Adams who made his debut for his country in 2022.
“Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the 2026 World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage and distinction.
“His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, team-mates, clubs, the football fraternity and the country at large.
“South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer.”
