Cameron Carnell: Son of ex-Bafana star joins Venda FC in Motsepe Foundation Championship shake-up

Venda FC have strengthened their squad for a promotion push in the Motsepe Foundation Championship by snapping up left-back Cameron Carnell, son of former Bafana Bafana defender Bradley Carnell, ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The 23-year-old defender, who previously turned out for Black Leopards in South Africa’s second tier, has been training and featuring in pre-season friendlies with the Limpopo-based side and has now completed his move.

Carnell becomes one of the headline additions as Venda look to improve on last season’s mid-table finish and mount a serious challenge for a place in the top flight.

Former Leopards duo bolster Venda squad

Carnell is not the only player switching from Black Leopards to Venda ahead of the new campaign.

Indications from the club are that experienced midfielder Donald Makgetlwa has also joined Venda after departing Leopards, adding further depth and know-how in the middle of the park.

Both signings are viewed as key as the club tries to close the gap on the leading sides in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, having ended the 2025-26 season in ninth place.

Venda’s hierarchy are understood to be determined to transform the team from mid-table regulars into promotion contenders, using a blend of youth, experience and targeted recruitment from within the division.

Carnell follows in famous father’s footsteps

Cameron Carnell will be looking to carve out his own reputation in South African football, following in the footsteps of his father Bradley, who enjoyed a long professional career and was capped numerous times as a left-back for Bafana Bafana.

The younger Carnell has already had a taste of life in the Championship with Black Leopards and will now hope regular game time at Venda can accelerate his development.

He has been involved in a series of pre-season friendlies in recent weeks as he seeks to cement a starting place and make an early impression on the coaching staff before the league campaign begins.

His arrival also gives Venda additional options on the left side of defence, an area the club had been looking to reinforce.

Mafori Cup offers early test for revamped Venda

Venda’s new-look squad will be on display this weekend when the club participates in the Mafori Cup, a one-day pre-season tournament to be staged at Seshego Stadium in Limpopo.

The competition, set for Saturday, will feature four clubs: Sekhukhune United, Polokwane City, Magesi and hosts Venda.

Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City will meet in the opening semi-final at 09:00, before Venda face Magesi in the second semi-final at 11:00.

The tournament is expected to provide an early indication of how quickly Venda’s new recruits, including Carnell and Makgetlwa, are settling into the team’s structure and style of play.

With the Motsepe Foundation Championship season fast approaching, Venda are using the Mafori Cup and a series of warm-up matches to sharpen their squad and build momentum as they target a significantly higher finish and an outside shot at promotion.