Stellenbosch left-back Fawaaz Basadien has openly expressed his ambition to join a bigger club, stating his desire to follow in the footsteps of former teammates Jayden Adams, Deano van Rooyen, and Iqraam Rayners.

Basadien, known for his cultured left foot, previously attracted interest from Kaizer Chiefs during the off-season, but a transfer did not materialize.

Aware of this interest, Stellenbosch offered him an improved contract to remain at the club. However, given his impressive performances this season, there is a strong likelihood that Basadien will seek a move away at the end of the current campaign.

It was reportedly difficult for him to witness Adams and Rayners depart Stellenbosch for Mamelodi Sundowns this season.

Rayners joined Sundowns at the beginning of the season after the Brazilians triggered his release clause, while Adams was signed outright by Sundowns during the January transfer window.

Van Rooyen was sold to Orlando Pirates at the start of the season and has since played a significant role in their journey to the CAF Champions League semi-finals.

Similarly, Adams and Rayners have been instrumental in Sundowns’ final appearance in the same competition.

“Definitely. As a player, for your career, that is always a bigger dream,” Basadien acknowledged when questioned about potentially following his former teammates to bigger clubs.

“I would like to achieve that as well. But for now, my main focus is to help Stellenbosch reach the final [of the CAF Confederation Cup] and hopefully win the trophy and play until the end of the season.”

With the season drawing to a close, Basadien was directly asked about his plans for the next season. “I don’t know, I’m not so sure,” he replied with a composed expression.

Basadien was speaking in Durban on Friday, as Stellenbosch is set to host Simba SC in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday at 15:00. Simba holds a slender 1-0 advantage after winning the first leg in Zanzibar last Sunday.

Basadien, who has also represented Bafana Bafana in their recent victories against Lesotho and Benin in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March, pointed out that few had predicted Stellenbosch’s progression to this stage of the CAF second-tier competition.

Notably, despite reaching the semi-finals, Stellenbosch has not played a single Confederation Cup match at their home ground in Stellenbosch, with their home fixtures being played in Durban, Pretoria, and Cape Town.

“No one expected us to get a result against Simba, especially away,” Basadien commented. “We tried, but we didn’t achieve what we wanted. Coming into the second leg, there isn’t much pressure on us to reach the final; the pressure is more on them. This will give us the freedom to enjoy ourselves and simply play for the occasion.”