Williams vows to honour Jayden Adams’ legacy
Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams has pledged to keep the legacy of teammate Jayden Adams alive.
Following reports of Adams’ death on Saturday, police said 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 that morning.
Speaking at the young midfielder’s memorial in Stellenbosch, Williams described Adams as humble, respectful and an inspiration on and off the field.
He praised Adams' achievements for club and country, including CAF Champions League, the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Williams said South African football will forever cherish Adams' memory.
“Jayden, for your contribution to South African football, thank you. We will miss your quality, your passes, your vision, and your brotherhood. Mr Jay, Private Jet, Grootman – we will carry you in our hearts, on our sleeves, on this badge, and forever you will remain part of us.”
𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙆 𝙔𝙊𝙐, 𝙅𝘼𝙔𝘿𝙀𝙉 𝘼𝘿𝘼𝙈𝙎 💛
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 16, 2026
You will forever remain in our hearts.#Sundowns #RIPJayden pic.twitter.com/nr9JDh4Ant
A DEVASTATING LOSS TO THE NATION - SAFA
The South African Football Association has described the death of Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams as a devastating loss to the nation.
Paying tribute at his memorial service, SAFA vice-president Linda Zwane praised the 25-year-old's dedication, discipline and achievements, saying he inspired many youth in the sport.
"A dark silent shadow fell on South African football. He was a beacon of hope, a gentle soul, and a young man whose brightest chapter was actively being written before our eyes.”
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 but 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 Ivory Coast.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he was "so incredibly sad to hear" that Adams had passed away just weeks after featuring in his nation's historic World Cup campaign.
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 came 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.
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