The partner of late Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams, Aqueelah Adendorf, and his father, Juanito Adams, have broken their silence following the footballer’s untimely death.
The 25-year-old midfielder died at a property in Cape Town in what is believed to have been a suicide, although authorities have not yet officially confirmed the cause of death.
Adendorf paid an emotional tribute to the father of their five-year-old daughter in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“Rest in peace, my love. Thank you for every memory, every laugh, every hug and every moment we shared. You were not only the love of my life but also my greatest supporter and my best friend.
“A part of my heart left with you, and I will carry your love with me forever. Until we meet again, I’ll miss you every single day. Rest easy, my angel. I love you always and forever,” she wrote.
Adams’ father, Juanito, said the family was battling to come to terms with the tragedy.
“As you all know, it was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it. It won’t be easy to carry on. People say it will become easier, but it won’t. You just learn to live with it,” he said.
He said the overwhelming support from football fans across the world had brought the family some comfort during the difficult period.
“The whole world is reacting to Jayden’s death. Like I said, it’s very tough. We can see the love the world had for Jayden.”
“Its very overwhelming honestly,” he added.
The midfielder’s death has sent shockwaves through South African football, coming just weeks after he represented the country at the FIFA World Cup. He was widely regarded as one of the country’s brightest football talents.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified information about Adams’ death.
In a statement shared on X, McKenzie said the cause of death had not yet been confirmed and urged South Africans to respect the family’s privacy while they grieve.
McKenzie described Adams as one of South Africa’s brightest football talents and reflected on his remarkable rise through the ranks.
Adams became Stellenbosch FC’s first academy graduate to sign a professional contract in August 2020 before making 139 appearances for the club.
He helped Stellenbosch lift the 2023 Carling Knockout title before securing a move to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025.
During his time at Sundowns, Adams won the Betway Premiership title and the CAF Champions League, further cementing his reputation as one of the country’s top midfielders.
Just weeks before his death, Adendorf celebrated Adams’ selection for South Africa’s FIFA World Cup campaign.
In an Instagram post shared on 27 May, she praised his determination and sacrifices throughout his football journey.
“Watching you achieve something this big has filled my heart with so much pride,” she wrote.
She said his success was built on years of hard work, sacrifices, early mornings, disappointments and unseen struggles, adding that he never gave up on his dream of representing South Africa.
Following his death, she returned to social media with another emotional farewell.
“There are no words to describe the pain I’m feeling. Rest in peace, my love. Thank you for every memory, every laugh, every hug and every moment we shared. You were not only the love of my life but also my greatest supporter and my best friend.”
“Rest easy, my angel. I love you always and forever,” she added.
The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU), which confirmed Adams’ death on 11 July 2026, described the loss as devastating for his family, teammates and the wider football community.
Adams began his professional career at Stellenbosch FC in 2020 before establishing himself as one of the country’s leading midfielders and earning a move to Mamelodi Sundowns and regular selection for Bafana Bafana.
