Bafana Bafana footballer Jayden Adams (25), who represented his country at the 2026 World Cup, has died.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed the midfielder’s death on Saturday, saying South African football had lost one of its brightest young talents. The minister did not disclose a cause of death.

Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk said officers 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.

“Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation,” Van Wyk said.

Brendine Johnson, Adams’ mentor, spoke to Soccer Laduma on behalf of the family, delivering an emotional statement that captured the profound grief felt by those closest to the young midfielder.

“At this moment, things are still raw. The family wouldn’t want to be contacted right now, they wouldn’t be able to answer anyone. This passing has ripped everybody apart, returning from the World Cup just now, and then got such news,” Johnson said.

“I had a close conversation with him on Thursday, the guy was really positive on returning back, and being able to return after the World Cup and go, you know, being a CAF champion, knowing what lies ahead, he was prepared. He doesn’t waste time away, being at home with his family.

“So at this moment, I don’t even have words to say, but we ask that the family’s privacy be respected. Yes, I can tell you that he passed on. Nobody expected this.”

Adams played in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the World Cup, as Bafana Bafana reached the round of 32 for the first time. He did not feature in the knockout defeat by Canada.

He was also part of the South Africa squad that finished third at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.

Born in Cape Town, Adams came through the Stellenbosch FC academy and became the club’s first youth graduate to sign a professional contract in August 2020. He went on to make 139 appearances for the Cape Winelands side and helped them win the Carling Knockout in 2023 before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025.

At Sundowns, the midfielder added a Premiership title and a CAF Champions League crown to his list of honours.

His death comes less than a month after the passing of his grandmother, on the eve of South Africa’s group A match against Czechia at Atlanta Stadium.

The South African Football Association said at the time that Adams started in the match against Czechia and gave his all while carrying the burden of losing his grandmother.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his deep condolences at the passing of Adams.

The Confederation of African Football paid tribute on social media, saying football has lost one of its own.

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