Fawaaz Basadien, a defender for Mamelodi Sundowns, has opened up about the rocky patch he endured after signing with the Tshwane giants, and how a mental shift allowed him to reclaim his career.

After establishing a reputation for himself in the Premier Soccer League with Stellenbosch FC, the 29-year-old left back joined Sundowns in July 2025. There were huge hopes for him as he moved to Chloorkop, but his debut season was a disaster.

Basadien had a hard time breaking into the starting lineup because he was ranked lower than the other defenders on the squad. He was not selected to represent Bafana Bafana or South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to his insufficient playing time.

Despite the challenge, the defender maintained his self-assurance. Rather, he persisted in his hard work and patiently awaited another chance to demonstrate his worth.

As a result of his perseverance, the former captain of Stellenbosch has established himself as a mainstay in Sundowns' starting lineup this season.

Basadien attributed his better performances to being consistent, believing in himself, and keeping a positive mindset even when things became tough.

He went on to say that his self-confidence kept him focused until his opportunity came, even if his start at Sundowns was less than ideal.

The defender is also cognisant of the fact that securing opportunities is but a portion of their role. He is now determined to keep up his current level of performance and even improve upon it.

His improvement has not only earned him a spot on the national team's preliminary roster, but it has also brought him back into the discourse about Bafana Bafana.

Being patient and working hard may pay off in football, as Basadien's tale exemplifies, particularly for players vying for spots at major teams.

As Sundowns strive for further success this season, his improved form will provide encouragement to supporters.

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In an interview with Soccer Laduma, Fawaaz Basadien discussed how his life took a dramatic turn for the better.