FORMER Stellenbosch FC coach, Steve Barker, ranks Jayden Adams, who has passed away, as the number one player to have passed through his hands.
Adams (25), passed away last Saturday in his hometown, Cape Town, as he had just returned from the World Cup with the Bafana Bafana national team.
In that competition, he played in all three group games for the local team against Mexico, Czechia and South Korea, and ended up sitting on the bench in the last 32 when they were eliminated by Canada 1-0.
Adams, who started playing in the Stellies nursery, became the first player from the club to sign a contract with the big club in 2020.
He played for years under Barker before being signed by Mamelodi Sundowns in January last year.
Speaking at Adams’ memorial on Thursday, Barker praised the player for being a good role model for young people to follow in his footsteps.
“I believe that the main reason for the establishment of Stellenbosch FC was to give the youth of this area the opportunity to play football at a high level. Jayden was a good example of this,” said Barker.
“When I first saw him at the age of 15, he left school and walked to train with a big team in Idas Valley. He was very small and physically, I was afraid that he would not grow strong, but he did it.
“Something that I have never doubted is his talent because even when he was young it was clear that he knows football, it is in his blood. He improved in all the years I coached him, even at Sundowns and he played well, winning major titles such as the Caf Champions League, as he finished playing at a high level in the World Cup.”
Barker, who is now coaching the Tanzanian team, Simba SC, said that apart from being talented, Adams enjoyed being on the field all the time.
“He loved football and when he entered the field you could see that he was relaxed, you could see him smiling. He had amazing intelligence, he loved to win. He was the type of player you would like to have in your team,” continued the coach.
“Every time I am asked who is the best player out of all the ones I have coached, I would not hesitate to say Jayden Adams. I would like to thank Sundowns for helping him to reach a high level and fulfill his dreams at a young age. We will always remember him,” concluded Barker.