Latest news with #Stellies
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Fawaaz Basadien targeting more silverware at Sundowns
'I can't wait to see you guys fill up the stadiums and watch us win more trophies,' he said. Mamelodi Sundowns have secured the services of Fawaaz Basadien from Stellenbosch FC, with the left-back completing a permanent move to Chloorkop following an impressive three-year spell with the side from the Cape Winelands. Basadien, who joined Stellies ahead of the 2022-23 season, quickly established himself as a key figure, amassing 111 appearances across all competitions. The 28-year-old was instrumental in the club's recent success, contributing eight goals and 18 assists from defence. ALSO READ: Motau calls for patience after Banyana's poor showing at WAFCON His consistent performances helped Stellenbosch claim the 2023 Carling Knockout title. Basadien's standout 2024-25 campaign saw him named both Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season at Stellies. Basadien is targeting more silverware with the reigning Betway Premiership champions. 'Masandawana family, I'm happy to be here. I can't wait to see you guys fill up the stadiums and watch us win more trophies,' he said. He has earned five caps for Bafana Bafana and he's expected to be part of the squad at the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations later this year in Morocco. Bafana are grouped with Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe at the continental spectacle. The Brazilians are not done yet in the transfer market with Khulumani Ndamane reportedly on his way from fellow premiership club TS Galaxy. ALSO READ: Ndah declares he's ready for Pirates' return after injury layoff Sundowns will get their 2025-26 PSL campaign underway with a MTN8 Cup quarter-final clash against Richards Bay on Sunday.
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Sundowns and Stellies reach agreement on Bafana Bafana star
Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly reached an agreement with Stellenbosch FC to sign Fawaaz Basadien. Basadien has long been been linked with a possible move to Sundowns although Kaizer Chiefs were also reported to be in the race. However, after it emerged that Basadien had skipped Stellies training on Thursday, iDiski Times reports that the deal has been struck. Basadien is now expected to fly to Gauteng in the coming days to officially complete his move to the Brazilians. He will compete for a place in Miguel Cardoso's starting line-up with the likes of Aubrey Modiba and Devine Lunga among others. Basadien had an impressive 2024-25 season with Stellies, playing 46 matches and scoring seven goals despite being a defender. And Sundowns believe he's the right man to do the job for them on the left-hand side of the pitch in the new season. Basadien, who is a full Bafana Bafana international, will reunite with Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams who also joined Sundowns from Stellies. Fawaaz Basadien at Stellenbosch FC Image via @StellenboschFC on X 'Mamelodi Sundowns have reached a club-to-club agreement with Stellenbosch FC for defender Fawaaz Basadien,' reads part of the publication's report. 'First reported by SABC Sport, iDiski Times has been reliably informed that Sundowns finally reached agreement with Stellenbosch for the services of the Basadien for an undisclosed transfer fee.' Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Bad news for Chiefs and Pirates as Sundowns steals top target
Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are set to lose their top target, Fawaaz Basadien, to Mamelodi Sundowns. The 28-year-old talented left-back was heavily linked to Amakhosi last year, but the Soweto giants fell short of Stellenbosch FC's asking price. In recent weeks, Basadien has been tipped to join Downs before the start of the season. On Thursday, SABC Sport 's Mazole Moloefe announced that the Bafana Bafana defender did not train with Stellies and in fact, watched from the sidelines. 'The public broadcaster has been made aware that the Bafana Bafana international this morning watched the training session from the sidelines, having been part of pre-season under coach Steve Barker in the days prior,' SABC Sport wrote. 'Stellies have been reluctant to sell Basadien for some time now and even offered the player a new long-term contract extension – forcing potential suitors to bid heavy figures to get any deal over the line. 'It's one of the reasons Chiefs could not get their target. 'However, Sundowns, with a reputation of triggering buyout clauses, are believed to have made their intentions clear on Basadien.' Last year, Sundowns purchased Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams for significant sums, despite Stellies' firm stance against selling players. With Basadien not training with the team, it seems likely that his departure is imminent. Both Chiefs and Pirates expressed interest in signing the left-back; however, his price tag of R20 million may have been too high for them. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Stellies ready to carry Cape's football flame
Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker is currently overseeing training in Johannesburg as his squad prepares for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Stellenbosch FC have defied the odds over the past few seasons, and as another crucial campaign approaches, expectations remain high for the Cape Winelands side. With the start of what promises to be yet another pressure-filled season drawing near, Stellies will once again be under the spotlight to maintain their upward trajectory. They have firmly established themselves as one of the standout teams in the Premiership, despite working with limited resources, and the club's success can be credited to a well-structured and smoothly run organisation that has consistently found ways to make things work. The past two seasons have not only reflected the fruits of their labour but also highlighted their strategic growth and progressive planning, which has become a hallmark of their operation. The Western Cape has long been recognised as a breeding ground for football talent. The province is not only known for producing gifted players, but it also boasts a rich history of competitive teams that were once thorns in the sides of many PSL opponents. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Legendary clubs such as Ajax Cape Town and Santos once stood proudly at the summit of South African football. They carried the provincial flag with pride, excelling both in nurturing talent and delivering strong, consistent performances on the pitch. However, a lot has changed over the years. While the region continues to churn out quality players, those once-prominent teams have fallen by the wayside. The recent relegation of Cape Town City added to that decline, leaving a bitter taste among local football followers. Cape Town, a globally renowned tourist destination, now finds itself without a top-flight team—a reality that would've been unthinkable a few years ago. Fortunately, Stellies have stepped in the last few seasons, and they can fill that void with authority. In the relatively short time they've been in the Premiership, they've emerged as the kind of club the province desperately needed. All 10 goals from our pre-season camp in Jo'Burg 🎯 — Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) July 23, 2025 Their youth development structures have flourished, and the pathway from academy to first team has produced notable talents, much like Ajax did in their prime. They are soon expected to settle into a stadium they can truly call home, but the biggest question ahead of the upcoming season will be whether they can maintain the high standards of recent years, particularly in light of losing some key figures. The club's investment in youth development has paid dividends—both in performance and financially. Several players have fetched impressive transfer fees after moving on, reinforcing the value of the team's developmental model. Recruitment has also been sharp. The signing of players like Sanele Barns previously proved to be a masterstroke, and the acquisition of a former Hungry Lions striker, Muzomuhle Khanyi—who netted an impressive 18 goals in the Motsepe Foundation Championship—suggests they're again betting wisely on potential. Following last season's strong showing, in which they reached the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup and only narrowly lost 1–0 on aggregate to Tanzanian giants Simba FC, the bar has been raised even higher. With that kind of progress, expectations for the coming season are naturally heightened. However, questions remain around the future of defender Fawaaz Basadien, who has been a cornerstone of the team. While he has stayed put amid previous departures, rumors of a move continue to swirl. Still, the club retains the core of its squad, and with the experience gained from continental competition, they head into the new season with greater maturity and resilience. That experience might be just what they need to once again carry the flag for the Cape with pride and confidence in the battles that lie ahead.
TimesLIVE
22-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Amajita star Tylon Smith joining Queens Park Rangers: reports
Amajita star Tylon Smith is joining Queens Park Rangers from Stellenbosch FC, with reports indicating the gifted centreback has completed his medical and agreed terms with the London Championship side. The website Transfermarkt reported the clubs 'have agreed to the transfer of one of the brightest prospects in the Stellies side'. Neither Stellenbosch or QPR have announced any deal yet. 🇿🇦 TYLON SMITH 🇿🇦 Dominating from start to finish, he claims Man of the Competition! @Football2gether | #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 19, 2025 Smith attracted global attention winning player of the tournament as coach Raymond Mdaka's Amajita won South Africa's first U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final in Cairo, Egypt, on May 18. He scored the winner in South Africa's 1-0 win against Nigeria in the semifinal. All it took was one goal. ⚽️ All it needed was Tylon Smith, the moment that sent Amajitas to the final. 🇿🇦🤩 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 15, 2025 Smith's pace, positioning, superb strength in the challenge, excellent distribution skills and forays out of defence were crucial in Amajita's tournament victory. He shouldered the central defensive responsibilities after the withdrawal from the tournament of Orlando Pirates' Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Smith has not broken into the first team at Stellenbosch, being kept out by coach Steve Barker's ultra-dependable, experienced centreback duo of Thabo Moloisane and Ismaël Touré. But he was an important player in the Stellies U-23 team that ended second to Kaizer Chiefs in the 2024-2025 DStv Diski Challenge. Smith will be the second South African to turn out for QPR in recent years. Bafana Bafana 2010 World Cup midfield star Kagiso Dikgacoi played for the London club from 2011 to 2014.
