Campbell tasked with leading South Africa’s U23s after Mosimane call

Shandre Campbell says Pitso Mosimane asked him to provide leadership for South Africa’s U23 side as they prepare to begin their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

The Belgian-based international has been included in Raymond Mdaka’s squad for the first qualifier against Madagascar in Pretoria this weekend, despite featuring for Bafana Bafana in their 1-0 friendly win over Egypt last month. Campbell supplied the assist in that match.

Campbell said Bafana head coach Mosimane had explained why he wanted him to join the U23 group.

“Coach Pitso did call me. He told me he strongly believes in me, and he said he wants me to go to the U23 team and be a senior player, to help them out as much as I can,” said Campbell.

“So I said, ‘Of course, Coach, I will do anything for the nation.’”

The 21-year-old is already familiar with the setup. He has been involved with the U23 team since the COSAFA tournament and knows both the players and Mdaka’s coaching staff well.

“I have also been part of the U23 team since COSAFA, so I know everyone very well, including Coach Raymond,” Campbell said.

“They all believe in me – they trust me, which I love the most. They know the player and person that I am, and trust is important, so I thank them for trusting me.”

Campbell was part of the project when it began in 2024 and helped South Africa win the COSAFA U20 Championships, where he was named player of the tournament.

His club commitments meant he was not consistently available to the national age-group sides, and he missed both the team’s successful AFCON U20 campaign and the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. He has now returned to the squad and is determined to continue from where he previously left off.

The forward recently moved from Club Brugge FC to K.V. Kortrijk in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. Following his involvement with Bafana Bafana last month, he is expected to take on a prominent role within Mdaka’s team.

The U23 squad also reflects South African Football Association’s approach of developing national teams around players and coaching staff who progress together. Mdaka and his assistant, Karabo Mogudi, have worked with the group since 2024.

Fifteen of the 23 players in the current squad were involved with the pair from the beginning of the project, continuity Campbell believes gives the team an advantage as the AFCON U23 qualifiers begin.