South African football in shock as 2026 World Cup star passes away

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adams-jayden/vPHtKJeg/"]Adams[/a], 25, played for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mamelodi-sundowns/lxZ6Bzh6/"]Mamelodi Sundowns[/a] in the South African league, helping them to the African Champions League title in the 2025/26 season. [/p][p]He started the World Cup fixtures against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mexico/O6iHcNkd/"]Mexico[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/czech-republic/6LHwBDGU/"]Czech Republic[/a], and came off the bench in the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/south-africa-W2ijYvlr/south-korea-K6Gs7P6G/?mid=4rr4ngNc"]1-0[/a] win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-korea/K6Gs7P6G/"]South Korea[/a] that earned Bafana Bafana a first ever place in the knockout rounds of the global finals, where they were knocked out by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/canada/x4toKORL/"]Canada[/a]. [/p][p][b]"This passing has ripped everybody apart, returning from the World Cup and then to get such news," [/b]Brendine Johnson, Adams' mentor, told [i]Soccer Laduma[/i]. [/p][p][b]"I had a close conversation with him on Thursday. The guy was really positive on returning back, and being able to return after the World Cup, knowing what lies ahead. He was prepared." [/b][/p][embed guid="cebf5e66-7b15-48b4-a21f-d06c7af2967c" url="https://x.com/SAFPU_Official/status/2075918479429894189?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Adams came through the youth development structures at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/stellenbosch-fc/fJsWcA5b/"]Stellenbosch FC[/a] and joined Sundowns in January 2025.[/p][p]He made his international debut against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mozambique/2aBNiivt/"]Mozambique[/a] in 2022 and won 13 caps, scoring two goals, both in qualifiers for the current World Cup.[/p]