Cardoso Cites Fierce Left-Back Competition For Basadien

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed the situation surrounding Fawaaz Basadien, explaining that the player’s lack of game time is due to fierce competition for the left-back position.

Cardoso also revealed that this same depth is what prompted the club to loan out fellow defender Terrence Mashego to Durban City.

He said that while Basadien will get his chance to play, the squad’s depth and a packed schedule are making it difficult for many players to get game time.

The Competition at Left Back

Since joining Sundowns from Stellenbosch, where he was a regular starter, the 28-year-old Basadien has struggled for minutes. He has only featured in four matches, and all of those were at right back, not his natural position.

Basadien has been left out of the squad for the last four league matches, even being on the bench during Sundowns’ win against Durban City on Saturday.

The team’s left-back position is stacked with talent, including Aubrey Modiba, Divine Lunga, Asekho Tiwani, and Thato Sibiya.

Cardoso explained that this intense competition is why Mashego was loaned out and why other players like Basadien are finding it hard to break into the team.

He also noted that the team’s relentless schedule, with very few full-intensity training sessions, makes it difficult for players to impress the coaching staff.

“Fawaaz has the same problems as Divine Lunga, Aubrey Modiba, Thato Sibiya, Asekho Tiwani, and that’s also the reason why Terrence Mashego is on loan,” Cardoso stated.

“It’s the quality we have in that position. Despite that, we believe a lot in Fawaaz, we believe a lot in Aubrey, we believe in Divine. Fawaaz will have his moment.”

Cardoso added that Basadien could have played in the last game but the coach had to make a strategic decision to use players who had worked best with him in preparation for upcoming matches. He expressed confidence in Basadien, noting that he is “adapting to what we want” and that the team is happy with his work.

The coach also acknowledged the challenge posed by the congested calendar. “What doesn’t give him a lot of opportunities is to show himself permanently, and it is also a problem that comes from the calendar because we don’t train much,” he said. He concluded by saying that it’s tough to make it at Sundowns and that players can go from being a regular starter to not playing at all in no time.

The win against Durban City saw Sundowns climb to second place in the Betway Premiership with 18 points from eight matches, just one point behind leaders Sekhukhune United.

Sundowns’ next match is an away game against Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday [19:30].