It hasn't been the easiest of starts for Fawaaz Basadien at Mamelodi Sundowns, but there is a former player of the club who knows what it's like to endure a difficult period at Chloorkop and come out stronger.
Stellenbosch FC had been holding onto Basadien for some time, but finally budged in this transfer window, selling the Bafana Bafana left back to Betway Premiership kings Sundowns.
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He has not featured in Sundowns' last two matches, but former Sundowns defender Wayne Arendse feels there is no reason to panic. Competition is tough at left back with Aubrey Modiba and Divine Lunga currently ahead of him, so he has to wait his turn.
"He should remember that Sundowns plays 50 or more games a season, and you are going to get your chance. Everything is a phase. The team saw something in him, hence they brought him on board, so what I can say is that he should continue what he was doing at Stellenbosch and work ever harder. At Sundowns, there's no room for error. Have a look at (Aden) McCarthy (at Kaizer Chiefs). He is taking his chance at centre back since (Rushwin) Dortley is out," Arendse said to Soccer Laduma.
"The opportunity is there. It's about how your mindset is going forward and how you adapt to your new surroundings. He must stay positive and keep working hard."
Basadien is yet to play in his favoured left-back position since joining Sundowns. In two appearances, he has played at right back, an unfamiliar role to him. He was unable to make an impact playing out of position, but he has to wait for his opportunity to play at left back. And someone who knows all about waiting for an opportunity is Arendse, who was on the bench at Sundowns for quite some time during the time Alje Schut was at the club.
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"Playing out of position can be tough, but it's about how you look at it. It shows the coach is eager to use him in the team. There are other players who did not make the squad. That's one way of looking at it. They probably had discussions about it, and he may have said he can play at right back. The players are there to help the coach as well, so maybe they were experimenting for more options because it's going to be a long season," Arendse said.
Basadien will be hoping that his lack of game time recently does not hamper his chances of making it into the Bafana Bafana squad that will be playing FIFA World Cup qualifiers in early September.
