Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana left-back Fawaaz Basadien has opened up on his return to the national team and revealed how joining Masandawana has elevated his game.
Basadien, 29, joined Sundowns from Stellenbosch FC in July 2025, where he emerged as one of the leading performers in the Betway Premiership and broke into the senior national team.
His technical ability as a winger in his formative playing days shone through after being converted into a left-back and his form and leadership also saw him earn the captain’s armband in a friendly against Tanzania under former national team head coach Hugo Broos.
But his move to Sundowns, saw his playing time significantly decrease in comparison to his time at Stellies, until the current campaign, and he’s now been named as one of three left backs in Pitso Mosimane’s first two squad call-ups.
“I’m grateful, happy and it’s an honour, a privilege to represent the national team and I’m in a good space at the moment, I’m so happy to get that recognition again,” he said.
Having featured in the 1-0 friendly win against Egypt, Basadien will be aiming that the lessons learnt will pay dividends to prolong his international career and add to the five caps he’s won since making his debut in 2024 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda.
“I think it has brought about better aspects in me, regarding there at Stellenbosch, everyone saw it was basically just me playing in that position but before coming to Mamelodi Sundowns, I knew I was coming into a different space,” Basadien said.
“I knew I’d have to adapt and fight for my place, it’s not going to be given to me, I think that has changed my mentality, help me grow as a player and as a person.”