Fawaaz Basadien has spoken with pride and perspective following his appointment as Bafana Bafana captain for their upcoming international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique.
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With regular skipper Ronwen Williams unavailable due to Mamelodi Sundowns' participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, the armband has been handed to Basadien for the national team’s June fixtures.
The 27-year-old Stellenbosch FC full-back revealed how legends of South African football helped shape his approach to leadership.
“I think growing up watching the national team, I mainly watched guys like Benni McCarthy and I also played with Nasief Morris,” Basadien shared.
“Morris was a big legend and Benni McCarthy as well.”
Basadien credits his time playing alongside the former defender Morris as pivotal in his development, both on and off the pitch.
“I got the privilege to play with Nasief. So I also learned a lot from him as well. He had good qualities and leadership skills. So for me, it was always about learning and taking from them so that if one day I become captain of the national team, I could implement that and help those coming through.”
Basadien is expected to lead a youthful Bafana squad during the two matches, with several senior players unavailable.
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