Will Fawaaz Basadien's signing strengthen Mamelodi Sundowns after a similar signing failed?

The reasons might be slightly the same, but the outcomes could be totally different should Fawaaz Basadien show mental strength and duly fight for his position.

When Mamelodi Sundowns signed Terrence Mashego from Cape Town City in 2022, then coach Rulani Mokwena made a bold reason behind the signing.

He said: “When that type of talent is available in the market, you've got to go for it before it goes on to strengthen a rival and make them stronger.”

Mokwena was candid more than anything, especially given the fact that the clubs had depth at left-back and enough cover for Bafana Bafana international Aubrey Modiba. And so, after the club announced the signing of Basadien on Saturday, it seemed Sundowns’ intentions couldn’t be nearer to Mokwena’s explanation.

The Brazilians still have Modiba, Mashego, Sifiso Ngobeni and Divine Lunga for the left-back position at their disposal. So did they really need Basadien?

Well, that remains to be seen. What is known is that Basadien brings depth to Sundowns as he has proven himself at Stellenbosch over the years. Last season, Basadien might have stood out for his set-piece taking technique and scoring abilities, having scored that screamer in the iKapa derby, but he’s a fully-fledged product.

Basadien aces his primary duties - defending - to the tee, and has evolved in moving high up as he joins in on build-ups, something that can be affirmed with his goals from open play.

So, given that Sundowns are a ball-playing team, still playing within the ethos of ‘shoeshine and piano’, he should be able to fit into the teams’ system like a glove.

The slight problem is that his qualities are similar to those of Modiba’s - something that will give coach Miguel Cardoso either a nice headache, sleepless nights or both.

Having identical players means that Cardoso will have a direct replacement in case of eventualities, but in the same breath he can’t play them together at once.

This two-edged sword does not only apply to Cardoso, but Bafana coach Hugo Broos as well.

The sleepless night might even need tablets for Broos especially if another left-back player from another club is on form than the benched one at Sundowns.

Broos has always been open about the value of Sundowns players as their continental experience augurs well for the national teams.

But in the same breath, the Belgian has always stressed about the number of players that Sundowns sign season in and season out as that deters progress.

And so, leading up to the World Cup qualifiers, and the Africa Cup of Nations in December, he might grow more grey hair just from calling up players for the left-back position.

Should Basadien or Modiba be dropped at Sundowns that will change Broos’ plans as they were regulars last season for their respective clubs, taking the feisty, healthy competition to Bafana. Yes, competition between the two players will help them get the best out of one another at club level, but the issue of them playing together remains a tough puzzle to solve.

There’s the modern approach of players being fluid, and able to play in a host of positions, but I am sure neither of them will want to hop from one position to another ahead of AFCON.

By the time the teams leave the South African shores, they’ll both want to fly out knowing that they are the first choice at left-back.

Over the years, Modiba has been both Sundowns and Bafana’s preferred left-back. So, perhaps the arrival of Basadien will keep him on his toes.

Basadien’s mental strength, despite reuniting with homeboys Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams, and Bafana teammates, will be tested at Sundowns this season.

But unlike Mashego who’s failed to stamp his authority at the club and is reportedly set to be released, Basadien has the qualities of fighting for a starting berth and quickly adapting.

After all, he knows the ins and outs of Gauteng, having played for Moroka Swallows three seasons ago. Hence, he’ll unlikely make the statistic of being one of the Western Cape born players who struggled in Gauteng.