Stellenbosch lock defender Fawaz Basadien into new contract

The left back has recently attracted interest from Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs with the Premier Soccer League giants monitoring the situation with Basadien’s terms prior to the discussions.

Stellies CEO Rob Benadie had informed the public broadcaster that the player was still on their books “for another 18 months”, so there was in fact no concerns he would leave on a free transfer.

When Basadien was selected by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos in the 50-man preliminary squad in December ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire at the start of the year, it’s understood his stock went up.

READ: European clubs change their perceptions on PSL talent after the AFCON

The public broadcaster now understands the team from the Winelands have wasted no time in adding a few more years to Basadien’s current teams to lock him into a long-term deal.

Indications are that two more years have been added and this puts Stellies in a comfortable seat should any potential suitor come knocking and to enquire on whether the club would be willing to sell.

The club have become known as a selling team of late, with high-profile players such as defender Olwethu Makhanya (USA), midfielders Junior Mendieta (Sundowns), Ibraheem Jabaar (Israel), and Sibongiseni Mthethwa (Chiefs) having moved on at the start of the current season.

But what has emerged as a trend and a strategy from Benadie and the rest of the Stellies hierarchy is that they are moving swiftly to renegotiate contracts for what is predominantly a young team.

The likes of Devin Titus, Jayden Adams [who was part of the Bafana 23-man squad that finished third at the AFCON], Kyle Jurgens and Iqraam Rayners.

Basadien is another example of this approach.