Campbell Accepts Move Back to U23s After Bafana Debut

Kortrijk winger Shandre Campbell says he is ready to serve South Africa in whatever role is asked of him, after being sent from the senior Bafana Bafana camp to the national U23 side, according to iDiski Times.

The 21-year-old was called up for the AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, as well as the friendly against Egypt that followed. He made his senior debut off the bench against Egypt and set up fellow debutant Puso Dithejane, as Bafana won 1-0.

What Mosimane and Mdaka told him

The senior team is now in camp for the PAMOJA tournament qualifiers against co-hosts Kenya. The U23 side is preparing at the same time for an Olympic qualifier against Madagascar. Campbell spoke to the media on Wednesday about the decision to move him down.

He said Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane phoned him and explained that he strongly believed in him. Mosimane wanted him to join the U23s and act as a senior player, helping the younger group as much as he could. Campbell said he told the coach he would "do anything for the nation".

He added that U23 coach Raymond Mdaka had also spoken to him, and that he sees the request as a sign of trust. Campbell said the U23 team has been his side since COSAFA, so he knows the players well.

Lessons from the senior group

Campbell said he learned a lot during his time with the senior squad. He named Thapelo Maseko, Luther Singh, Tashreeq Matthews, Oswin Appollis and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams as players he tried to learn from.

He said he now wants to adapt what he picked up there to the U23 environment. He was also clear that the step down does not set him apart from his teammates. "I'm the same as everyone else," he said, according to the report.

What to watch next

Supporters can follow two fixtures involving the national sides. Bafana take on Kenya in the PAMOJA qualifiers, while the U23s face Madagascar in the Olympic qualifier. The source does not say whether Campbell will play in the Madagascar match, but his comments suggest he expects to be part of the U23 group.

This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.