Bafana coach sends Campbell to lead U23s in Olympic qualifiers

BELGIUM-BASED winger Shandre Campbell says Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane believes in him and wants him to lead from the front in the national Under-23 side.

Campbell, who has already been selected for the senior Bafana squad, said Mosimane personally told him about the plan to send him back to the Under-23 team.

The message was clear: be a senior figure and help the younger players.

The senior Bafana squad is currently in camp preparing for back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya on 13 and 17 November 2026.

Meanwhile, the Under-23s are also in camp preparing for their Olympic qualifying matches against Madagascar on 14 and 17 November.

Campbell welcomes Under-23 leadership role

Campbell welcomed the move, saying playing for Mzansi at any level is always an honour.

He told me that he strongly believes in me. He said he wants to call me to the Under-23 team, for me to go down there and be a senior player and help them out as much as I can.

“I said, of course, coach, I will do anything for the nation,” Campbell said.

The youngster said the Under-23 team already felt like home because he had been part of the team since the Cosafa competitions.

He also thanked the technical team for trusting him.

“The U23 team has also been my team since Cosafa, so I know everyone very well. The coaches, Pitso and Raymond, they all believe in me.

“They trust me, which is what I love the most. They know the type of player and person I am, and trust is important. So, I thank them for trusting me,” he said.

Belgium offers young SA players room to grow

Campbell also believes Belgium is a good destination for young South African footballers who want to develop before seeking moves to Europe’s biggest leagues.

He said the Belgian league gives young players a real chance because it focuses strongly on developing talent.

He also believes South Africa has enough quality to produce players who can shine abroad.

“Definitely, Belgium is a good development ground, especially if you are looking to develop. As you know, I think it’s one of the youngest leagues among the top 10 leagues in Europe. The average age is around 23.

I think South Africans have very talented players, and they can go abroad and play anywhere. But I think Belgium can be a place where a crop of South African talent can go, develop and eventually move to one of the top five leagues in the world.

—   Campbell said.

With his European experience growing, Campbell now wants to use what he has learnt overseas to help the national team and inspire the next generation of Mzansi stars.