South Africa international midfielder, Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, the country’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, announced on Saturday.

In a statement confirming the footballer’s death, McKenzie described the news as a huge loss to South African football but did not disclose the cause of death.

He said Adams’ passing had deprived the country of one of its brightest young football talents.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also paid tribute to the midfielder, describing his death as a loss to the football community.

Meanwhile, Western Cape police confirmed that an investigation had been opened after the body of a 25-year-old man was discovered at a residence in Schotschekloof, a suburb of Cape Town, on Saturday morning. Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

Adams represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all three of the team’s group-stage matches as Bafana Bafana reached the Round of 32 for the first time before losing to Canada in the knockout stage.

He was also a member of the South African squad that finished third at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed condolences to Adams’ family, friends and teammates, saying he was deeply saddened by the midfielder’s death only weeks after South Africa’s historic World Cup campaign.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also mourned Adams, extending condolences to his family and teammates. The President equally paid tribute to former South African Under-18 rugby player Luqobo Makwedini, who also died this week at the age of 20.

According to Ramaphosa, the deaths of two promising young athletes were especially painful at a time when the country was celebrating its participation in the FIFA World Cup and other international sporting events.

The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) described Adams as a humble and gifted footballer whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Born in Cape Town, Adams rose through the youth ranks of Stellenbosch FC before signing his first professional contract in 2020. He made 139 appearances for the club, helping them win the Carling Knockout in 2023 before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025.

During his time at Sundowns, he won the South African Premiership and the CAF Champions League.

His death comes less than a month after the passing of his grandmother, whose death occurred on the eve of South Africa’s World Cup group-stage match against Czechia, a game in which Adams still featured despite his personal loss.

(Photo Credit: Le Monde)