By Ayanda Nyuswa
South Africa’s youth international attacker Shandre Campbell has broken his silence on Club Brugge’s decision to bar him from taking part the Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations. Amajita claimed a historic first ever U20 AFCON title, beating Morocco 1-0 in the final at the 30 June stadium in Cairo on Sunday. Raymond Mdaka’s troops became the third South African national football team to win a continental tournament after Bafana Bafana’s 1996 side and Banyana Banyana’s class of 2022.
Campbell, who was a key member of Amajita in the build up to the continetal showpiece, was initially selected in Raynond Mdaka’s final squad to travel to Egypt but Brugge decided against leg him go. The Belgian club felt they needed his services in the business end of the season, and the U20 AFCON also fell outside of the FIFA calendar.
Campbell has been making important strides in Belgium since his move from Supersport United in July last year. The 19-year old impressed in Club Brugge’s reserve team “Club NXT”, scoring 9 goals and providing one assist in 13 appearances. His impressive start in the Challenger Pro League saw him get promoted to the senior team in February, where he has made a single appearance so far. He’s also captured a first major trophy with the club when Brugge beat RSC Anderlecht to win the Belgian Cup last month, a match where he featured on the bench.
Speaking on Extratime on Gagasi FM, the talented left footer says he was gutted to miss out on playing for his country at AFCON, but took everything in his stride and didn’t hold it against the club as they viewed him as an important part of the team.
“I was of course gutted but at the same time I had to adhere to the rules that the club gave me. I just took it and didn’t keep it against anyone, I just took it and went on at the end of the day they know what’s best. I just carried on training and all that,” said Campbell.
The 19-year old also reflected on Amajita’s historic AFCON win and believes it was a 10/10 performance that could propel them to even greater heights at the Under 20 World Cup later this year.
“What can I say it’s a 10/10. Losing one game, winning against big teams. I guess we can go on and win the World Cup also.”
