Campbell accepts U23 role after Mosimane call

Kortrijk winger Shandre Campbell says he is ready to help South Africa’s U23 side after being asked to step down from the senior squad following his Bafana Bafana debut.

The 21-year-old was included in the squad for the September 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, before featuring in the subsequent international friendly against Egypt.

Campbell came on as a substitute in that match and set up fellow debutant Puso Dithejane, whose goal secured a 1-0 victory for Bafana Bafana.

South Africa’s senior team is currently preparing for the PAMOJA tournament qualifiers against co-hosts Kenya. At the same time, the U23 side – Amaglug-glug – are in camp ahead of their Olympic qualifier against Madagascar.

Campbell said Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane and U23 mentor Raymond Mdaka had explained why they wanted him to join the younger squad.

The winger said the coaches believed his experience with the senior team could benefit the U23 players and viewed the request as a demonstration of their confidence in him.

“Coach Pitso did call me he told me he strongly believes in me,” Campbell told the media on Wednesday.

“And he said he wants to me to go down to the U23 team and be a senior player and you know help them out as much as I can. And I said, of course, coach, I will do anything for the nation. And the U23 team has also been my team since COSAFA.

“So, I know everyone very well, and coach Pitso and coach Raymond, they all believe in me. They trust me which I love the most. They trust me. They know the type of player and person I am, and trust is important. So, I thank them for trusting me.”

Campbell aims to share Bafana experience

Campbell also spoke about the support he received during his time with the senior national team, naming several players from whom he tried to learn.

“Well, of course in the first team I had Thapelo Maseko, I had Luther [Singh], I had Tashreeq [Matthews], I had Oswin [Appollis],” he said.

“I always try and learn from them. Ronza [Ronwen Williams] also, you know, I always try and take information and try and learn from them.

“So, I think coming from Bafana Bafana down to the U23 national team, I just try and see what I’ve learned and try to adapt it to U23. But I’m no bigger than anyone here I’m the same as everyone else.”

Campbell has been part of the U23 set-up since COSAFA and said his familiarity with the players would help him settle quickly as the team prepares for its Olympic qualifier against Madagascar.