Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has explained Fawaaz Basadien’s lack of game-time following the defender’s big move from Betway Premiership rivals Stellenbosch FC to the Tshwane giants.
The talented left-back joined Sundowns from Stellies in the current transfer window after his consistent performances in the past three seasons. Basadien was a key member of Stellenbosch after playing an important role in their first trophy win in the top-flight, having won the Carling Knockout Cup in 2023 and reached the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup last season.
His impressive performances earned him a place in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad in the past few months. After proving to be one of the best left-backs in the PSL, Basadien joined the Brazilians ahead of the 2025/26 season.
But since his arrival at Chloorkop, the former Moroka Swallows defender has struggled to break into the star-studded Sundowns, featuring in only four matches across all competitions so far.
Sundowns’ tactician Miguel Cardoso has revealed that competition in the team is the reason Basadien is not playing, and he will get his chance.
CARDOSO RELATES BASADIEN’S LACK OF GAME-TIME TO TOUGH COMPETITION AT SUNDOWNS
“Look, Fawaaz has no problems; his problems are the same ones as those of Divine Lunga, Aubrey Modiba, Thato Sibiya, and [Asekho Tiwani]. That made us send Terrence Mashego on loan; it’s the quality we have in that position,” Cardoso said after Sundowns’ 3-1 win over Durban City FC in the league on Saturday night at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
“Despite the fact that we believe a lot in Fawaaz, we also believe in Aubrey and Lunga. He will have his moment. Today [Saturday], he was on the bench, and he could have played; he just didn’t play because I had to decide which players worked perfectly for this game.
“If I had two more substitutions, of course, he would have gone through the same thing with Thapelo Maseko, not only to manage the other players but because we trust them.
“So there will be moments for Fawaaz. We are happy with his work, of course, we’re always demanding more, and he’s adapting to what we want. Also, we don’t train enough for him to show himself; it’s a problem that comes with our calendar.
“We came back from Bloemfontein a few days ago, and there’s not enough time to train for players to show themselves, so his moment will come, let’s hope no one gets injured for it to happen, but naturally, he will have an opportunity like the other ones.”
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