Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker says Fawaaz Basadien was given leave of absence for the birth of his first child.
Basadien, 27, has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in South African football since his arrival at Stellenbosch from Moroka Swallows and was subject of major interest from Kaizer Chiefs in the off-season.
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Stellies issued a hands-off warning and he’s continued to flourish as an attack-minded left-back with an eye for goal, while also breaking into the senior national team under Hugo Broos, earning his first two caps in the wins over Uganda and South Sudan.
However, he was not part of their matchday squad in the 2-0 loss to Stade Malien and the 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
“Fawaaz Basadien became a father for the first time in the morning, so congratulations to him, and hence it gave Omega another opportunity to play, and he took the play,” he said.
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“His wife was due during the week, and being a first-time father, he requested to stay at home to be with her in case she had the baby earlier in the week.
“We granted him that – and then we know over the weekend it would probably happen, so we gave him some time off to be with his wife.”
Basadien has scored five goals with two assists in 17 games across all competitions for the Cape Winelands outfit this season.
