‘It doesn’t stop here,’ says Fawaaz Basadien after cleaning the floor at Stellenbosch FC awards

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 SFC Awards at the Allée Bleue Wine Estate on Tuesday evening. 

The skilful fullback was rewarded for his excellent performances throughout the 2024-25 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 Stellies striker Iqraam Rayners, who won the club’s Footballer of the Season award last season, prior to 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’, namely Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, despite Basadien having penned a long-term contract extension at Stellies in February last year.

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

Basadien, though, remains tight-lipped over his future movements, 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 back in 2022. 

“It’s a privilege and honour to be recognised as the standout player in our whole team,” Basadien exclusively told Independent Media on the Indy Sport Show.

“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.”

Stellenbosch FC competed valiantly in their debut continental campaign with the Cape Winelands club beating Egyptian giants Zamalak in Cairo in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals to qualify for a maiden semi-final berth. 

Although they eventually fell to Tanzanian outfit Simba FC, coached by fellow Capetonian Fadlu Davids, Basadien feels the African adventures have significantly aided his development.

“It was a very good experience for the club, and for us as players. Obviously, it was the first time we were in the CAF, so it wasn’t easy,” he said.

“We started quite slow, lost our first two games, but we knew as a team we can achieve something special, even though it was our first season.

“We knew that we just needed to get one win... that will bring confidence all the way through the group stages.

“That first win was important for us, but what an experience it was to play all over Africa: Morocco, Egypt, Zanzibar...

“For us as players, that’s where you dream of playing.

“But now that I’ve had the opportunity, it doesn’t stop here!” 

Stellies close out their Premiership season against struggling neighbours Cape Town City on Saturday at the DHL Stadium. 

The derby has significant consequences for both teams, with City battling to avoid the relegation playoffs, while Steve Barker’s men are aiming to secure third position, which will secure qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup again next season. 

The emotions could be running high for Basadien too, as it could potentially be his last match in a maroon shirt.

But right now, all he wants to focus on is securing Stellies’ continental future.

“It’s a massive one to end the season,” he said. “The derby!” 

“We obviously want to finish third, so it’s important for us to get the victory.

“That’s our goal: to play in Africa again next season.”

Full list of 2024-25 Stellenbosch FC 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)