Miguel Cardoso explains why Fawaaz Basadien has struggled for game time at Sundowns
Tough time: Fawaaz Basadien has struggled for game time ever since making the move from Stellenbosch FC to Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Sundowns on Facebook
Image: Sundowns on Facebook
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has given the reasons why new signing Fawaaz Basadien has struggled for game time since joining the champions.
Bafana Bafana’s Basadien joined Sundowns from Stellenbosch FC in the off-season and was expected to be one of the club's key players in defence. However, he has featured just three times in the league.
Explaining the reason for Basadien’s lack of game time, Cardoso said it was due to the numbers they have in his position, as he was competing with Divine Lunga, Aubrey Modiba, Thato Sibiya, and Asekho Tiwani.
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“It's the quality we have in that position. Despite believing a lot in Fawaaz, we also believe in Aubrey and Divine, and Fawaaz will have his moments,” said Cardoso, as quoted by Soccer Laduma.
“He was on the bench [on Sunday], and he could have played. He just didn't play because I had to decide which players are the best to take out, not for this game but to think about the next ones.
“If I had one or two more substitutions, I am sure he would have gone in. There will be moments for Fawaaz. We are happy with his work. He is adapting to what we want, but also we don't train a lot, which would give him more opportunities to show himself. It's also a problem that comes from the calendar.
“The opportunities for the player to show himself are not very big. But there will be a moment when things happen. He will have his opportunity like the other ones."
IOL Sport