Stellenbosch FC’s hierarchy was greatly relieved after Gauteng’s big-spending clubs baulked at the high asking prices of their match-winners, Jayden Adams and Fawaaz Basadien.
The two players, who were major transfer targets during the recent window, will be the team’s trump cards in Saturday’s MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
After the loss of skipper Deano van Rooyen (Pirates) and talismanic striker Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns), Basadien has raised his level of play.
Last week, he captured the imagination of the soccer fraternity after he scored a goal from about 60 metres against Cape Town City in a derby at Athlone Stadium.
Basadien, an excellent defender, has been used more in a midfield role this season.
On occasions, he stalks up in the striking zone. His play these days is more suited to that of a box-to-box midfielder, and that brings the best out of him on both defence and offence.
Adams is a force to be reckoned with as a midfielder or winger for Stellenbosch. Last season, he played a major role in the club winning the Carling Knockout Cup, and established himself as one of the best midfielders in the country.
It takes some effort to stop the 23-year-old on his attacking sorties out wide, and his link play is the latest of his talents to come to the fore.
Whether it is a deft back-heel flick or a defence-splitting pass, Adams is proving to be a tactful provider for the team’s strike force.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has lately expressed his joy at being able to retain Adams and Basadien because they have made the team highly competitive.
For Pirates, midfielder Thalente Mbatha and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine – last season’s MTN8 final hero after he saved three penalties against Mamelodi Sundowns, also in Durban – could be the difference on Saturday.
Mbatha’s name is on everyone’s lips after his two appearances for Bafana Bafana, in which his last-minute goals earned South Africa a positive start to the Afcon qualifiers.
In three days, @StellenboschFC will be playing in their first-ever #MTN8 final.
Here’s how they reached the final 👇 pic.twitter.com/2y4Kd7VhCZ
Last June, the 24-year-old was a key contributor to Pirates’ victory in the Nedbank Cup final in Mbombela where they triumphed over Mamelodi Sundowns.
He played a crucial role in that match, completing the full 90 minutes as the team secured a 2-1 victory.
Mbatha said that the players know Pirates can make history on Saturday, although another final appearance calls for sound mentality and attitude.
“I think it’s time again when I should also apply myself and have the right mentality and attitude,” he said.
“As a team, we like to win awards and win trophies. It’s something that we as a team could win our third MTN8 final in a row. We could be the first team to do it in the PSL.”
Earlier this week, the media spoke to Chaine about last season’s heroics after he saved penalties from Junior Mendieta, Bongani Zungu and Teboho Mokoena to help Pirates defeat Sundowns 3-1 on penalties after the match ended goalless.
Chaine said Pirates’ MTN8 and Nedbank Cup wins have helped to raise the confidence levels in the team, and the players have set high targets this season.
“I think every season we set out to reach our highest potential, and whether we reach them or not, the most important thing is to put high targets for yourself to compete on all fronts,” he said.
“Whether you’re playing in the Champions League, the domestic league, or cup competitions, we want to work as hard as possible to reach our full potential. As Orlando Pirates players, we strive on all fronts, in every competition we compete in.”