Fawaaz risking Bafana Bafana spot as Sundowns’ Cardoso confirms defender is down the pecking order

Mamelodi Sundowns tactician Miguel Cardoso insists Fawaaz Basadien has to be patient before getting regular football at the club.

The versatile defender joined the defending Premier Soccer League champions from Stelelnbosch at the beginning of the season. In his final campaign with Steve Barker's men, the 28-year-old played 46 games across all competitions with a return of seven goals and eight assists.

However, he has struggled to get game time at Masandawana, where he has made just four appearances in the 11 games his team has played in all tournaments. The recent outing was last weekend in the 3-1 win over Durban City where Basadien warmed the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

Cardoso has since justified his decision to play Aubrey Modiba and Devine Lunga ahead of his new signing.

Basadien is adapting

“Fawaaz has no problem. The problem of Fawaaz is the same problem that Divine Lunga and Aubrey Modiba have; Thato Sibiya and [Asekho] Tiwani, and that also made us give on loan Terrence Mashego. It's the quality we have in that position. Despite believing a lot in Fawaaz, we also believe in Aubrey and Divine, and Fawaaz will have his moments,” he told the media.

“He was on the bench [against Durban City] and he could have played. He just didn't play because I had to decide which players are the best to take out, but not for this game but to think about the next ones. If I had one or two more substitutions, I am sure he would have gone in. There will be moments for Fawaaz. 

“We are happy with his work. He is adapting to what we want, but also we don't train a lot which would give him a lot of opportunities to show himself. It's also a problem that comes from the calendar. The opportunities for the player to show himself are not very big. But there will be a moment when things happen. He will have his opportunity like the other ones,” Cardoso concluded.

Basadien might get his chance on Wednesday as the defending champions play Golden Arrows in the PSL outing.

If things don't change for Basdien, his place in Bafana Bafana for 2025 AFCON might be given to another match-fit player.