Sundowns Halt European Travel After Adams Mourning
Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed the postponement of their pre-season biological assessment and training camp to Austria following the tragic and untimely passing of midfielder Jayden Adams.
The club clarified that while their departure—originally scheduled for Saturday—has been delayed to allow the squad to mourn, the European pre-season camp has not been canceled entirely.
The South African football fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the devastating news of the 25-year-old’s death on Saturday.
While Mamelodi Sundowns have yet to release an official statement detailing the exact circumstances surrounding his passing, a high-ranking club source told Sportswire that the player allegedly took his own life.
The shockwaves of the midfielder’s passing reverberated globally, prompting a solemn moment of silence ahead of the high-profile FIFA World Cup quarterfinal clash between England and Norway on Saturday night.
Adams was a cornerstone of the historic Bafana Bafana squad that captured global attention in June, featuring in all three group-stage matches as South Africa reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in history, before a heartbreaking last-minute exit against co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32.
“Given the circumstances, the team did not travel to Austria yesterday,” Sundowns said in a statement.
“As it stands, the pre-season has not been canceled but the departure has been postponed.”
Adams, who completed a high-profile switch to Chloorkop from Stellenbosch FC during the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, enjoyed an immediate impact with Masandawana. He won the Betway Premiership in that season.
He then key-ed a historic last season, lifting the coveted CAF Champions League trophy.
Prior to his block-buster move to Gauteng, Adams established himself as a fan favorite in the Western Cape, anchoring the Stellenbosch midfield during their fairytale 2023/24 Carling Knockout triumph.
He left Stellies having amassed 139 appearances across all competitions, registering nine goals and 10 assists, before going on to feature 67 times for Sundowns, netting six goals and providing three assists.
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time or experiencing distressing thoughts, please reach out to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) on 0800 567 567 or the 24-hour helpline on 0800 456 789.
