Fawaaz Basadien reveals why Kaizer Chiefs missed out on him

Mamelodi Sundowns new signing Fawaaz Basadien has revealed that he was never close to joining Kaizer Chiefs despite speculation linking him to the club.

Basadien completed a dream transfer to Sundowns last month but he had been linked to all the ‘Big Three’ of Sundowns, Chiefs and Orlando Pirates since last year.

Sundowns ultimately won the race for his signature and the defender has now clarified the situation surrounding the reported interest from Chiefs.

How did Chiefs miss out on Basadien?

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧: 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞👆

🔴Fawaaz Basadien confirms that a move to Kaizer Chiefs was never really close

🔴 However, there was an interest in him from Chiefs, he wanted Sundowns

🎥 MSW🤝 #KaizerChiefs #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/ztNdOAXo9V

— Karabo Selebalo Phasha (@TheeSportsGuy01) August 7, 2025

“I wasn’t really close to be honest (to join Kaizer Chiefs),” Basadien told Robert Sports Worldwide. “There was obviously a lot of interest, talks and everything, but my main focus, my main decision was to join Sundowns, that was my number one.”

However, the former Stellenbosch FC left-back admits the transfer to Sundowns was not smooth sailing as he came close to missing out, sending him into disarray, before things looked up again.

“It was a lot in the air, one week it was convincing, the next week it was a bit looking like it’s not going to happen,” he added.

“So, for me, I think in that period, it was a bit stressful. I had a lot on my mind, thinking about everything. Because my main focus was to join Sundowns. So, that basically happened while we were in camp with Stellenbosch.

Sundowns transfer was on and off

“Coach Steve called me in and told me that Sundowns approached our CEO again and told him that they’re interested, they want me to come and join them.

“But before he told me that, along the lines, he mentioned that they (Sundowns) got in contact again with Rob (Benadie), the CEO, to say that they might not go ahead with the deal.

“And that’s why my head was a bit up and down, I didn’t know what to expect. But fortunately, it happened, I’m here now.”

Basadien will be hoping to make his PSL debut for Sundowns on Saturday as they open their campaign away to Chippa United after coming on as a late substitute in their 4-0 thrashing of Richards Bay in the MTN8 quarter-final on Sunday.