David Kannemeyer gives top tips to Fawaaz Basadien with Mamelodi Sundowns | OneFootball

He has to be patient before he gets enough time.

David Kannemeyer gives top tips to Fawaaz Basadien with Mamelodi Sundowns

For Mamelodi Sundowns defender Fawaaz Basadien, the highly anticipated move to the Betway Premiership champions has become a stern test of patience. Since arriving from Stellenbosch FC amid high expectations, the 28-year-old Bafana Bafana international has found opportunities scarce, featuring in just four matches under coach Miguel Cardoso in a star-studded squad.

The root of the challenge, as explained by the club and now echoed by former left-back David Kannemeyer, is the fierce competition within the team. Basadien entered a left-back department so deep with talent—including established names like Divine Lunga and Aubrey Modiba—that the club deemed it necessary to loan out Terrence Mashego to ensure playing time elsewhere.

Kannemeyer, offering candid advice, believes Basadien was aware of the challenge he was undertaking. “Within his mind, he knew that he was going to Sundowns, where there were other left-backs that had been playing well,” Kannemeyer stated, suggesting the player actively sought this high-pressure environment.

The former defender's counsel for Basadien is straightforward: embrace the grind. He emphasizes that the key is to "stay focused, stay positive and work extra hard," drawing a parallel to the demands faced by players moving to Europe. The ultimate message is one of reassurance—this struggle is not a reflection of his ability. “You don’t become a bad player overnight,” Kannemeyer affirmed, urging the defender to banish any doubt and be ready to seize his moment when it inevitably arrives.