Basadien relishing chance to return to Bafana Bafana squad

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Fawaaz Basadien says returning to the Bafana Bafana setup is a significant moment after a prolonged spell away from the national team.

The left-back had previously received several call-ups while playing for Stellenbosch, where he was a regular starter. However, after joining Sundowns, a lack of regular opportunities made it harder for him to maintain his place in the national squad.

Basadien was subsequently left out of the squads for previous Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup tournaments. His latest selection has therefore provided a welcome opportunity to re-establish himself at international level.

The defender said representing South Africa had always been one of his main ambitions and that his performances for Sundowns had helped him earn recognition once again.

“Yeah, I’ve missed quite a few call-ups in the past but being there again means so much for me,” Basadien said on MSW.

He acknowledged that his route back into the national team had depended on performing consistently for his club.

“It’s something that I always strive towards by getting good performances at my team as well. That gives me recognition to play for the national team,” he added.

Basadien also described playing for Bafana Bafana as a long-standing personal dream, while stressing that his return would only be meaningful if he continued to work hard.

“Like I’ve always said before, it was a dream to play for the national team. It’s a good recognition for me to say that I’m doing well but I also need to keep pushing and not stop.”

The left-back credited Sundowns with giving him the platform to play and regain the form and visibility that ultimately led to his recall.

His return comes after a period in which limited playing time at the Brazilians affected his international prospects. Having secured another opportunity with Bafana Bafana, Basadien says he is determined to maintain the standards that earned him recognition in the first place.