Stellenbosch FC defender Fawaaz Basadien has expressed amusement at the interest shown by Kaizer Chiefs in his services.

While Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie confirmed that Chiefs have made an offer for Basadien, the club has rejected it and is keen to retain the talented left-back.

To secure Basadien’s future, Stellenbosch has improved his contract following his impressive performances last season, which culminated in a third-place finish and qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup. Additionally, the club won its maiden trophy, the Carling Knockout Cup.

Basadien has continued his strong form this season, scoring three goals in five matches this season, including a crucial penalty in the MTN8 semi-finals against Mamelodi Sundowns. Stellenbosch subsequently advanced to the MTN8 final after a 1-0 victory over Sundowns in the second leg.

“For me personally, I think it is to control what I can control,” said Basadien on Monday during the Bafana Bafana press conference as the national team will host Uganda and South Sudan away in the two African Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday and on 10 September.  

“Obviously, I’m contracted to Stellenbosch, that’s where I’m playing. So, all I can do is to put in performances week in week out because I’m there to do the job, never mind what is going on around the media. 

“Obviously, it is good to have a club like Chiefs interested in you, but I’m contracted to Stellenbosch and my focus has been to Stellenbosch and just to put in performances week in and week out.”  

Interestingly, Basadien was sitting along Thalente Mbatha of Orlando Pirates, who Stellenbosch will now face in the MTN8 final on 5 October.  

Despite losing key players like Iqraam Rayners to Sundowns, Deano van Rooyen to Pirates, and Antonio van Rooyen to Austrian side SV Reid, Stellenbosch has enjoyed significant success. Basadien attributed this to the team’s strong camaraderie and shared ambition. He emphasized the team’s unity and dedication, which have contributed to their impressive achievements.

“One thing that stands out for us as Stellenbosch football club is that, we play for each other,” said Basadien about the incredible success the club has had. 

“We know what we want to achieve. Everybody is putting the hard yards, there is no big egos in the team, everybody is grounded – we know what we want to achieve and it is just the team spirit we have in the team to always help one another and always see each other grow.”