Fawaaz Basadien does not hide that he is charmed by Kaizer Chiefs' reported attraction to him as Amakhosi are said to be keen on the services of the 27-year-old left-back.
Chiefs are in their rebuilding phase this season, with head coach Nasreddine Nabi the trusted architect for Amakhosi’s resurrection. However, the Chiefs mentor has run into red tape a couple of times in the current transfer window.
Amakhosi were a second too late in their bid to sign Khanyisa Mayo, who has since joined Algerian outfit CR Beloluizdad, while Cape Town Spurs rejected Chiefs’ offer for Asenele Velebayi.
Basadien is viewed as a potential replacement for Sifiso Hlanti, who left Naturena after three seasons.
“I never mind what is going on around the media, it is obviously good to have a club like Chiefs interested in you but I am contracted to Stellenbosch and my focus is has been at Stellenbosch and I just need to to put in good performances,” said Basadien.
“I control what I can control. I’m obviously contracted to Stellenbosch, that’s where I am playing so all I can do is put in good performances week in week out because I am there to do my job,” he added.
Basadien joined Steve Barker’s Stellenbosch outfit in July last year, and after being one of the standout performers at Stellies, he has caught the eye of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos.
“It is an honour and privilege to represent your country and fortunately for me I have put in some good consistent performances and the coach selected me. All I have to do is take my chance and make the most of it,” Basadien explained.
The former Moroka Swallows defender comes at the back of an impressive showing against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final and will now face defending champions Orlando Pirates.
Broos called up five Buccaneers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan, and Basadien says when on national duty – club rivalry takes a back seat.
“Being with the team and being with the national team is different. When you are with the team you are there with your club but come to the national team, you are representing the whole country, so you have to pull together to achieve what the country wants to achieve.
So you just have to adapt when coming to the national team than when playing for your club,” Basadien explained.
Bafana Bafana training at Dobsonville Stadium today ahead of the AFCON qualifier against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 6 September. pic.twitter.com/yeuAYZpLwH
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 2, 2024
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