(Johannesburg) South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who participated in the World Cup, has died. He was 25 years old.
Posted yesterday at 12:05.
His death was confirmed on Saturday by Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s minister of sport, arts and culture, in a statement.
“It is with deep concern and a heavy heart that I have learned of the passing of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams at the age of 25,” McKenzie wrote on X.
“South African football has lost one of its most promising young talents and our nation mourns his passing along with his family, teammates and millions of fans.”
Adams helped South Africa qualify for the World Cup for the first time.
No further details about his death were provided.
“Jayden’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed,” McKenzie said. “I would like to ask members of the media and the public to exercise restraint and compassion and to refrain from speculation.”
Adams started South Africa’s opening Group A match against the Czech Republic and was substituted at half-time. McKenzie said he played the match just hours after learning of his grandmother’s death.
Adams spent several seasons with Stellenbosch before moving to Mamelodi Sundowns last year. He helped the club win the CAF (Africa) Champions League that year.
“Death has cruelly taken one of us. It has robbed our nation of a wonderful footballer,” the South African Footballers’ Union wrote on X.
“We will forever remember his humility, his extraordinary talent and the pride with which he represented South Africa. Rest in peace Jayden. You will never be forgotten.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African Federation of Trade Unions also expressed their condolences.