Aubrey Modiba reflects on the impact of Jayden Adams’ death on Mamelodi Sundowns’ MTN8 preparations

Aubrey Modiba of Mamelodi Sundowns and Puleng Marema of Polokwane City during 2026 MTN8 Launch at Supersport Studios on Wednesday. Mamelodi Sundowns defender Aubrey Modiba admits the club would have preferred to kick off theirBetway Premiership campaignalongside the rest of the league last weekend, but says the tragic death of teammate Jayden Adams meant football had to take a back seat. Sundowns’ league opener was postponed following Adams’ passing, with the Brazilians now turning their attention to Saturday’sMTN8 quarter-finalagainst Polokwane City.

Modiba revealed the emotional toll of losing both a club and Bafana Bafana teammate had been evident throughout pre-season. “It has been very challenging,” Modiba said. “It hasn’t been easy on everyone – not only the team, but the country and even the world, seeing how people celebrated his life.

“You could see some of the guys, even in training, they were mentally not there. The coach understood that and sometimes allowed them to step aside so they could deal with it. It has been difficult.” While accepting the postponement was unavoidable, Modiba acknowledged Sundowns would have preferred to have started their league campaign as scheduled.