“I Had To Step Up”: Basadien Opens Up On World Cup Heartbreak And Fighting Back At Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Fawaz Basadien has opened up about the belief and positive mindset that helped him overcome a difficult debut season and force his way back into Bafana Bafana contention.
The 29-year-old endured a frustrating first season at Sundowns after joining the Brazilians from Stellenbosch, where he had established himself as a regular starter and earned international recognition with Bafana Bafana.
Despite his previous consistency, Basadien struggled for regular game time throughout last season. His limited opportunities ultimately contributed to him missing out on representing South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making his journey back into contention even more significant.
However, the left-back appears to have turned a corner this season. Basadien has been given more opportunities and has responded with encouraging performances, catching the attention of newly appointed Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.
Mosimane has included the former Stellenbosch vice-captain in Bafana’s preliminary squad for their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea later this month.
Reflecting on his journey and the mentality that helped him remain focused during a difficult period, Basadien highlighted the importance of consistency, belief and making the most of opportunities when they arise.
“I think it’s just a matter of consistency, as well as the belief I showed throughout my time since arriving here,” he said.
“It hasn’t been the start I wanted to have, but with my belief and my mindset, I think my positive mindset and positive attitude are what kept me going. Eventually, when given the chance, I had to step up and take the chance, and I think I did that.
“And it’s a matter of just consistent performances now to maintain that level and even increase the level.”
The defender, however, remains focused on his club’s immediate responsibilities, with Sundowns preparing to face Siwelele in their next Betway Premiership fixture at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.
The match comes after Siwelele parted ways with coach Lehlohonolo Seema on Monday following a run of poor performances. With uncertainty surrounding their opponents’ technical setup, Basadien believes Sundowns must avoid being distracted by the coaching change.
The former Stellenbosch vice-captain does not expect Siwelele to suddenly adopt an entirely different style of play, but he knows Sundowns must concentrate on their own performance.
“To be honest, I don’t think they will come at us with a new style of play,” Basadien added.
“Maybe the coach that’s going to take over will implement some of the things that the players are used to from the previous coach.
“But I think it’s important for us to stick to what we want to do and focus on what we want to do to achieve the victory.
“So, I think it’s important for us just to focus on what we want to achieve and improve on the things that we want to improve as a team.”
