Gavin Hunt Questions Decision to Play Stellenbosch’s Opening Game After Jayden Adams Tragedy
- Gavin Hunt has explained why Stellenbosch’s opening fixture came at a difficult time for the club
- Jayden Adams’ long connection with Stellenbosch remained a major factor around the match
- Hunt has now detailed how the squad dealt with the emotional impact before taking the field
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Source: Twitter
Gavin Hunt has questioned the decision to go ahead with Stellenbosch FC’s opening Betway Premiership match following the death of former academy player Jayden Adams. The coach said the squad's emotional state made the fixture particularly difficult.
Stellenbosch suffered a 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban on 18 August 2026, coming shortly after Adams’ funeral.
Adams joined Stellenbosch as a youngster and spent around 12 years with the club. He progressed through its youth structures before making his senior debut in August 2020.
Speaking to the media, Hunt said the timing of the match was difficult for the club.
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“Thought the first game should have been called off, because of Jayden Adams. He was at the club for 12 years,” Hunt said, as reported by iDiski Times.
Hunt points to Sundowns postponement
Adams moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2025 and won the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League with the club before his death.
Sundowns’ opening league match against Marumo Gallants was postponed. Hunt felt Stellenbosch could have received similar consideration.
“He’s been there [Sundowns] for one year. They got their game called off. We should have had our game called off,” Hunt said.
He added that Devin Titus was “devastated” and said the wider group had also been deeply affected.
Stellenbosch look ahead after difficult start
Hunt acknowledged that Stellenbosch went ahead with the fixture despite the circumstances.
“Maybe we should have had the game called off but we went ahead and played, and we weren’t ready for that first game,” he said.
The coach now hopes the team can use the available training time to prepare for its next challenge.
“I love to play two games a week, three games a week,” Hunt said. “But this week now can give us just a little bit of time to train and [work on things].”
The defeat leaves Stellenbosch with work to do as they seek to recover from a difficult opening to their campaign.
Jayden Adams’ partner marks one-month anniversary
Briefly News previously reported that Jayden Adams’ partner, Aqueelah Adendorf, marked one month since the former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder’s death with a deeply personal tribute.
Adendorf reflected on the difficult reality of life without Adams, while remembering the moments and memories they shared. Her message offered another glimpse into the personal loss surrounding the footballer’s death.
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Source: Briefly News
