JOHANNESBURG, July 11 (Xinhua) -- South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who played for his country at the World Cup this summer, has died, the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) confirmed on Saturday.
The reason for the death of the 25-year-old who played for Mamelodi Sundown is still unclear.
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, on Saturday morning.
Adams started South Africa's first two games in the tournament, a 2-0 defeat to Mexico and the 1-1 draw with Czechia, and he was a substitute in the 1-0 win over South Korea, before missing out in the 1-0 last-32 defeat by Canada.
The SAFPU confirmed his passing in a statement which read, "the SAFPU is devastated by the untimely passing of Mamelodi Sundown and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams."
"Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage, and distinction.
"His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and country at large.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the Adams family, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Bafana Bafana and all those whose lives he touched.
"South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer," concluded the statement. ■