Sports Desk Reporter
The life and legacy of Jayden Adams were honoured at Stellenbosch Town Hall this afternoon, where family, friends, teammates and supporters gathered for the first of two memorial services.
The former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder died on 11 July at the age of 25.
He leaves behind a legacy that touched teammates, coaches and supporters across South African football.
One of the most emotional moments came when Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe presented Adams’ family with a framed portrait signed by the club’s players.
“Players wanted to give you something to hold onto, to show you how much Jayden meant to the players, Sundowns and our supporters,” Motsepe told the family.
Sundowns assistant coach Steve Komphela remembered Adams as a player whose influence stretched far beyond the football field.
“We say thank you for your hard work and the memories. The world will miss you,” Komphela said.
“Mamelodi Sundowns will miss him. African football will miss him. We South Africans will miss him and the world will miss him.”
He also offered words of comfort to Adams’ loved ones.
“You ran your race with grace. Rest easy. On behalf of our president, the board, staff and players, we say to Jayden’s family, may he rest. It is the memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.”
Former Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker, who gave Adams his first professional contract after he became the club’s first academy graduate to reach the senior team, reflected on the footballer’s love for the game.
“Football was Jayden’s safe space. Once he stepped onto the field, he was free. He loved the game, and he loved to play,” Barker said.
“The next day would be recovery, but he would just look at me with a smile. I knew he didn’t want to recover. He just wanted to play,” he added.
Barker described Adams as a player every coach hopes to work with.
“Jayden was a winner. He was the type of player you wanted next to you in the changing room because you knew you would never walk alone.”
“He cared deeply for the people around him and always protected his teammates. If anyone asks me who the best player I have ever coached is, Jayden’s name will always be the first on my team sheet.”
Sundowns and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams remembered Adams as a quiet but fearless teammate whose smile could brighten any room.
“Jayden was a quiet and respectful boy. Sometimes you forgot he was in the room, but his laughter and smile could light up any room,” he said.
“But when it was time to fight, he never backed down.”
Williams recalled the CAF Champions League final, where Adams stood face to face with an opposition player without hesitation.
“I asked him about it afterwards. He just looked at me and laughed. That was his character. That was the mentality he carried onto the field,” he said.
Turning to Adams’ family, Williams said they had lost more than a son.
“You have not only lost a son, a brother and a father. You have also lost a global superstar.”
He encouraged them to continue supporting one another.
“Stick together, draw strength from one another and continue celebrating Jayden’s life and success,” he said.
Williams also reflected on Adams’ contribution to South African football.
“Thank you for helping bring a second star to Mamelodi Sundowns, for representing South Africa at the World Cup and for helping Bafana Bafana win bronze at AFCON. We will miss your vision, your quality, your passes and your brotherhood.”
He ended his tribute with an emotional farewell.
“Jayden, fly high with the angels. We will continue keeping your legacy alive. Rest well, ma se kind.”
Adams’ body was discovered at a home in Cape Town’s Schotsche Kloof shortly after he returned from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Police have opened an inquest into his death. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Adams will be laid to rest on Saturday in Stellenbosch.