FAWAAZ IS DIE BAS

STELLENBOSCH FC may yet lose their second successive Footballer of the Season to perennial Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns, but right now Fawaaz Basadien is simply enjoying his crowning moment with the Maroons. 

Basadien was the big winner at the Stellenbosch's awards ceremony at the Allée Bleue Wine Estate on Tuesday. 

The yster fullback was rewarded for his excellent performances throughout the season, where he played a prominent role in Stellies reaching a first-ever Caf Confederation Cup semi-final and MTN8 final, claiming the coveted Players’ Player of the Season and Footballer of the Season prizes.

Basadien could potentially though follow in the footsteps of former ace Stellenbosch striker Iqraam Rayners, who won the club’s Footballer of the Season award last season, before his lucrative transfer to Sundowns. 

The 28-year-old’s impressive form down the flanks and his educated left boot has long caught the attention of Gauteng’s “Big Three” clubs, namely Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, despite Basadien having penned a long-term contract extension at Stellenbosch in February last year.

It would therefore require Sundowns - or indeed one of the Soweto duo - to lay down a groot transfer fee to acquire Basadien’s services, especially since he has also become a Bafana Bafana regular under Belgian coach Hugo Broos this season. 

Basadien, though, remains tight-lipped over his future and instead basked in the honour of rising to the top at Stellies, who had taken the risk of signing the then relatively unknown Grassy Park-born rookie from Moroka Swallows in 2022. 

Basadien exclusively tells the Indy Sport Show: “It’s a privilege and honour to be recognised as the standout player in our whole team. 

“I also want to pay tribute to my teammates. They are the ones who help me on the field and help me stand out. As a footballer, you want to achieve these things. 

“For me, I haven’t won many individual awards in the past, so it's an honour and privilege, as it's shown that I’ve been consistent and done well throughout the season.”

Stellies close out their season against sukkeling neighbours Cape Town City on Saturday at Cape Town Stadium. 

Full list of 2024-25 Stellenbosch award winners:

Footballer of the Season – Fawaaz Basadien

Sportsman of the Year – Sage Stephens

Players’ Player of the Season – Fawaaz Basadien

Young Player of the Season – Ibraheem Jabaar

Golden Boot – Devin Titus

Rama Fans Player of the Season – Sihle Nduli

DDC Footballer of the Season – Faiz Abrahams

DDC Sportsman of the Year – Simthandile Sishi

DDC Golden Boot – Cheswyn Philander

CEO’s award – Ghouwa Manuel

Special achievements – Fawaaz Basadien, Ibraheem Jabaar, Sihle Nduli, Sage Stephens and Devin Titus (100 appearances)