Basadien's possible future move Stellenbosch FC defender and stand-in Bafana Bafana captain Fawaaz Basadien is in demand after an impressive season for his club. Photo: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix
Image: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix
Fawaaz Basadien is the man of the moment in South African football currently.
The left back, arguably the best in the country, was named Stellenbosch FC’s Player of the Season recently after some impressive form for the Cape Winelands side.
The cherry on top for Basadien was the 27-year-old being named as the stand-in skipper for Bafana Bafana, as Ronwen Williams is away at the FIFA Club World Cup.
It’s been a good year for the former Moroka Swallows man. Naturally, the monied clubs in Gauteng have been lining up and are interested in his services. According to reports, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates all want to sign him. Not many local footballers get a chance to pick between one of the big three.
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Addressing those rumours ahead of Bafana’s game against Tanzania on Friday, the defender said: “Obviously, all the rumours and stuff are nice to have as a player. But my main focus is to use whatever opportunity I get to play and keep doing what I do and keep improving every day.
“So, whatever happens in the background is just part of the rumours that have been created. But for me, in football, there comes a time where you want to achieve greater things – maybe play for the so-called big teams or make big moves.”
So, with that being said, where should he go next?
For many, the logical answer would be Mamelodi Sundowns. At Chloorkop, Basadien would land in a very stable situation, where every player knows what is expected of them and clear goals are set.
While Sundowns supporters are passionate about their club, they’re not as vocal and opinionated as those from other clubs. If he struggles to settle in, they would be patient enough to give him time to get used to his new surroundings.
The same can’t be said about fans of the Soweto clubs. While Pirates are more settled as a football operation, Chiefs are not. The club have just finished outside of the top half for a second successive season and are in desperate need of open-heart surgery.
Kaizer Chiefs would be completely the wrong move for a player who is starting to make a name for himself on the international stage. And we all know how quickly Chiefs supporters can turn on players who don’t hit the ground running.
Basadien must think carefully now. He’s not a youngster anymore, and this next move could define the rest of his career. A switch to Sundowns makes sense if he wants silverware and structure, but he’ll have to fight for his place every week. Pirates might offer him that balance – game time and prestige – while Chiefs, honestly, look like a gamble right now. Whatever he chooses, the ball’s at his feet. And in South African football, that’s a rare kind of power.
IOL Sport
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