Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed that Stellenbosch left-back Fawaaz Basadien will captain the side when they face Tanzania in the first friendly match at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday at 19:30.

Broos made this announcement on Thursday during a press conference, where he had initially named Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi as the skipper for these friendly matches, which also include a fixture against Mozambique on Tuesday at the same venue.

However, Broos clarified that Sibisi will not be involved in Friday’s friendly match. Instead, Basadien will wear the armband, with Sibisi set to captain the team in the final friendly game on Tuesday.

“First of all, I have to say that Fawaaz will be our captain on Friday,” Broos stated. “It is also the reason why he is here today [Thursday].”

Broos continued, explaining his decision: “It was a question of who would play the first game. Sibisi will play the second game, so he is [still] our captain. But, as I said, I want to give playing time to everyone, and then you have to look a little bit at who I have to put in the team. You can’t put all the youngsters in one team; you have to try to have some balance in your team. With the team that will play on Friday, Fawaaz is one of the oldest players. So, the choice was made very quickly.”

The 28-year-old Basadien made his Bafana Bafana debut against Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November. He played in both of March’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Bafana defeated Lesotho at home and Benin away to take control of Group C.

The Stellies defender, who at times captains Steve Barker’s side, was pleasantly surprised by the honour. “For me, I didn’t expect it to come so soon,” said Basadien, who is surely a nominee for the PSL Defender of the 2024/25 Season. “But at the same time, it is an honour and privilege to be the captain of the national team. Obviously, it is one of the things you dream about growing up as a footballer. But like I said, I didn’t expect it to come so soon.”

He continued: “I’m ready and prepared to help those, who like coach said, are young in the team. When I first came, there were guys who helped me in the national team, and I’m willing to do that now with the younger players.”