Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes South African football has lost a player destined for greatness, paying an emotional tribute to the late Jayden Adams during his funeral service in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
Broos joined family, friends, teammates and members of the football fraternity in bidding farewell to the 25-year-old midfielder, whose passing has left the country in mourning just weeks after helping Bafana Bafana reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stages for the first time.
The Belgian coach, who entrusted Adams with a place in his World Cup squad, said there was never any doubt about selecting the midfielder for football’s biggest stage.
“We didn’t hesitate to take him to the World Cup and he helped us a lot,” Broos said.
Adams was one of Bafana’s standout performers during the tournament, capping a remarkable rise that began at Stellenbosch FC before earning him a move to Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won the CAF Champions League and several domestic honours.
Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe has paid an emotional tribute to the late Jayden Adams, describing the Bafana Bafana midfielder as a “special human being” whose legacy extends far beyond the football field.
Motsepe was among hundreds of mourners who gathered in Stellenbosch on Saturday to bid farewell to Adams, who passed away last week at the age of 25.
Family, friends, teammates, coaches and football officials came together to celebrate the life of one of South African football’s brightest talents.
Speaking at the funeral service, Motsepe said it was important to remember Adams not only for his football ability but also for the person he was away from the game.
“Yes he was a footballer but first and foremost he was a son, brother and father, a very special human being. Of course he made a name for himself by bringing joy to everybody by playing the game he loves most and made us all so happy,” Motsepe said.
The family of Bafana Bafana star Jayden Adams has confirmed that only family members will be allowed to attend the funeral service at the cemetery.
In a statement released ahead of the funeral, the Adams family said that, given the interest in the funeral and the magnitude of the occasion, a meeting was convened with all relevant stakeholders, including police, the venue owner, and traffic services.
“In the best interest of all attendees and to ensure that we say goodbye to our beloved Jayden in a dignified manner, a collective decision was taken that:
“a) Only the family will be allowed to view the body before the service;
“b) Only the family will be allowed to attend the service at the cemetery.
“These decisions weren’t taken lightly, as we know you all wanted to share all moments with us, but we are sure you can understand and respect them given the expected number of attendees at the funeral.”
However, the family confirmed that the main service, which starts at 10:30am, can be attended by all, or by those with a specific armband.
“We as the family want to take this opportunity to once again thank you for the amazing support you have shown thus far. To all those attending the funeral tomorrow, we want to thank you in advance for the support.”
Adams’ death sent shockwaves through South African football. While police have opened an inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death, unconfirmed reports suggesting he may have died by suicide prompted renewed calls for greater awareness of the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes and the need for better access to professional support.
The tragedy came just weeks after Adams represented South Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup.
It also emerged that he had played for Bafana Bafana in an international friendly against the Czech Republic shortly after the death of his grandmother, a gesture that Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie described as a testament to his dedication and professionalism.
