SAFA president Danny Jordaan pays emotional tribute to late Bafana Bafana star Jayden Adams

South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has paid an emotional tribute to the late Jayden Adams, joining the growing list of football figures mourning the tragic death of one of the country’s brightest young talents.

Jordaan travelled to Idas Valley in Cape Town on Monday to personally visit Adams’ family and offer his condolences following the midfielder’s reported death over the weekend.

The 25-year-old Bafana Bafana international reportedly died on Saturday in an alleged suicide, a development that has sent shockwaves through South African football and beyond. His passing came just days after representing the national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the news even more devastating for teammates, supporters and the wider football community.

Speaking to the media during his visit, Jordaan admitted that the football fraternity was still struggling to come to terms with the heartbreaking loss.

“This is still so difficult to process, such a sad loss. Our sincere condolences to the family of Jayden Adams,” Jordaan said.

The SAFA president reflected on Adams’ rapid rise in South African football, highlighting the midfielder’s remarkable progress that earned him a place in Hugo Broos’ World Cup squad.

“He made tremendous progress and was included in the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA. Jayden was included in the team for the FIFA World Cup matches.”

Jordaan also recalled the difficult period Adams endured during the World Cup after the squad received news of his grandmother’s passing while they were based in the United States.

“While in the United States we were informed about the loss of his grandmother. We were shocked and saddened when informed about the passing of Jayden this weekend, one of the talented footballers in our country.”

He concluded by describing Adams’ death as a huge loss for South African football and extended his sympathies to everyone connected to the player.

“A sad loss of a young man. We express our sincere condolences to the family and the football families of Stellenbosch and Sundowns. A huge loss to our country’s football. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Adams’ reported death has prompted an outpouring of grief across the football world, with players, coaches, clubs and administrators continuing to honour his memory. Widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most gifted midfielders, he had established himself as an important figure for both club and country, and many believed his best years were still ahead of him.