Despite not seeing any playing time at the recent Africa Cup of Nations,
Bafana Bafana forward Shandre Campbell insists his call-up was a crucial
investment in his long-term development.
The 21-year-old Club Brugge attacker was part of Hugo Broos’ squad in
Morocco but remained on the bench throughout South Africa’s four-match
campaign. For Campbell, however, the experience was never about immediate
minutes.
“Honestly, I went for a learning experience, and I’m grateful for that,”
Campbell told PSLSA. “The coach was there to help me, to show me how things
work—how training is, how it feels on match day, the intensity and all that.
I will forever thank coach Hugo Broos for giving me the opportunity. It’s a
learning experience I’m going to take to the next level.”
His selection drew comparisons to Brazil’s inclusion of a young Ronaldo in
their 1994 World Cup squad—a move focused on acclimatizing a prodigious
talent to the highest level. Campbell embraced this philosophy fully.
“I was just thinking about the experience, not rushing myself. I was
watching the players play, how they adapt, and I was learning from every
single one of them. It was a good experience.”
For Campbell, the tournament served its intended purpose: seamless
integration into the senior national team setup and preparation for future
challenges, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“I am preparing myself mentally and physically, and I can’t wait for the
next opportunity. But I’m not rushing. I’m taking it a game at a time, and I
trust the plans.”
