Outspoken Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has given his verdict on whether Stellenbosch FC’s talented left-back Fawaaz Basadien should join Kaizer Chiefs.
Chiefs have had their bid for Basadien rejected as they seek to bolster their left-back options for the new season under the guidance of coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Basadien has been a standout performer for Stellenbosch FC in recent seasons, catching the eye of Chiefs and Bafana coach Broos.
In a recent interview with SABC Sport, Basadien’s agent, Basia Michaels, confirmed that the player has expressed his desire to join ‘Amakhosi’ before the transfer window closes on the 20th of September.
However, Stellenbosch has been adamant about keeping the highly-rated 27-year-old defender, according to the club’s CEO, Rob Benadie.
“…Yes there’s an offer from Kaizer Chiefs [but] we improved his contract recently,” said Benadie. “He’s still contracted with Stellenbosch, and we want to keep him. He is a fantastic player. We don’t want to go backwards with our squad.”
However, with Chiefs seemingly relentless in their pursuit of Basadien, Broos admitted that it would be challenging for Stellenbosch to retain the player. The Belgian tactician further expressed understanding for the club’s reluctance to sell, given their recent losses of key players such as Iqraam Rayners, Deano van Rooyen, and Antonio van Wyk to other clubs.
BAFANA COACH BROOS’ VIEW ON THE BASADIEN-CHIEFS LINK
“I don’t know if it is really a good move for Basadien to go to Chiefs, I don’t know,” said Broos after naming his 23-man squad to battle Uganda on 6 September and South Sudan on 10 September in Group K of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
“Okay, it is Chiefs and I think it is very difficult for a player to refuse that, and, on the other side, I think everybody has to understand that Stellenbosch cannot sell all these players. There are already three important players who left.
“I’m afraid now, maybe Fawaaz maybe [might also leave the club]. I hope that for Stellenbosch, the end of September [transfer window] will come as quickly as possible because it is also difficult to keep him.
“It is not a nice thing for a club like them; they made the players, and then that’s the destiny of a team like Stellenbosch. But on the other side, maybe they play the CAF Confederation Cup, maybe they will be struggling or fighting for the title next year, and it is not the right thing to release all your players and to have the money.
“But then you don’t want to make a mistake when you buy another player. He has to be as good as the one who left.
BROOS ADMITS BASADIEN’S CHIEFS MOVE COULD BENEFIT HIS CAREER
The Bafana coach did admit, though, that a move to Chiefs could be beneficial for Basadien’s career development.
“It can be a good thing for the player, maybe not for the team. I can understand that now Stellenbosch are saying, ‘Guys, you can offer us what you want, but these players are staying with us’, and it is not a bad thing for the players either.”
Basadien’s impressive performances at club level have earned him a call-up to the national team for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
The defender has started the new 2024/25 campaign in sensational form, contributing three goals and an assist while also helping ‘Stellies’ keep three clean sheets in four matches.
His recent heroics against Mamelodi Sundowns, where he scored the only goal in Stellenbosch’s 1-0 victory in the MTN8 semi-final first-leg in Atteridgeville on Wednesday, have further highlighted his talent.
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