Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed that their departure for their pre-season tour to Austria has been delayed due to the passing of midfielder Jayden Adams.
Adams’ tragic death at the age of 25 has shocked the football fraternity. The midfielder was part of the historic Bafana Bafana squad that reached the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history, before being eliminated in the Round of 32 by Canada last month.
His untimely passing was confirmed on Saturday morning after his body was discovered at a premises in Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town.
Cape Town SAPS spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that an inquest case has been registered for further investigation.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ – ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐#Sundowns #RIPJayden pic.twitter.com/23GQvUEU7x
โ Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 12, 2026
The 2026 CAF Champions League winners were due to travel to Austria on Saturday, 11 July, from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for their pre-season training.
They were scheduled to kick off the tour against German third-tier side SV Sandhausen on 16 July, before locking horns with Ukrainian powerhouse Dynamo Kyiv the following day. Further clashes await against Championship outfit Cardiff City on 23 July, with the tour concluding on 26 July with back-to-back fixtures against Saudi First Division side Al Arabi and Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS POSTPONE AUSTRIA PRE-SEASON DEPARTURE
In a short update on Sunday, the club confirmed that their departure to Central Europe has been delayed, but the pre-season has not been cancelled.
โGiven the circumstances, the team did not travel to Austria yesterday. As it stands, the pre-season has not been cancelled, but the departure has been postponed,โ said the clubโs Communications Manager Shupi Nkgadima.
In an official statement on Saturday, the club also asked that the family’s privacy be respected during this difficult period, particularly amid speculation surrounding the cause of his death.
โWe pray that the Almighty God comforts and strengthens the Adams family, his friends and everyone that knows him. Sundowns respectfully ask that the family’s privacy be honoured as they grieve this profound loss,โ the club said.
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