Stellenbosch FC CEO Rob Benadie has opened up on Kaizer Chiefs’ pursuit of the club’s utility player Fawaaz Basadien.
Amakhosi have seen their bids for the 27-year-old left-footer rejected as they persist in their efforts to strengthen their left-back position.
Basadien has emerged as a key player for the Cape Winelands team over the last two seasons, garnering attention from the Soweto giants.
The player’s agent, Basia Michaels, told SABC Sport that Basadien has conveyed his desire to the club to make a move to Naturena before the transfer window closes.
However, speaking to the media at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday, Benadie stated the club remains steadfast in its commitment to retaining the former Moroka Swallows man.
BENADIE SAYS STELLIES ARE RESOLUTE IN THEIR INTENTION TO RETAIN FAWAAZ BASADIEN
“Fawaaz is a consummate professional, yes there’s an offer from Kaizer Chiefs [but] we improved his contract recently,” said Benadie. “He’s still contracted to Stellenbosch Football Club. And we want to keep him, he is a fantastic player, we don’t want to go backwards with our squad.
“We want to continue and do similar type of performances as we did last year. So, Fawaaz is very important to us, he knows that, he understands that. There will always be pressure from the press and from other clubs for a lot of our players because we are doing so well now.
“But I trust in Fawaaz as a player, as an individual to be the professional that he is. And we have seen that in the past two games, haven’t we?”
Benadie stated the club has already lost some key players and would do its utmost to keep Basadien happy at the club.
He also raised concerns about the PSL transfer window which only closes almost a month after the season has opened.
He pointed out that clubs not yet playing could closely monitor Stellenbosch’s players and may identify potential targets.
BENADIE ON BASADIEN – ‘WE’LL DO OUR UTMOST BEST TO KEEP HIM HERE’
“There’s a number of players not just at our club but at other clubs also because the transfer window is open for so long, which is really unsettling,” he continued.
“At least we are playing games; other clubs aren’t playing games. They have to wait without playing games and transfer speculation on their players and so on.
“At least we are playing, that makes it a little bit easier for us. But also, it’s more opportunities for other clubs to see our players playing so well.
“And it’s going to go to the last day of the transfer window but we’re quite steady on a certain number of players. We have already lost some of the important players as you know. Some of them, it was unavoidable.
“So, you’re asking about Fawaaz, we don’t want to lose Fawaaz, we will do our utmost best to keep him here and keep him happy.”
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