What Pitso Told Campbell After Before Bafan…

Shandre Campbell is part of the national under-23 team. Image: Gallo Images

Shandre Campbell has revealed the conversation he had with Pitso Mosimane before a decision was made for the player to swap the Bafana Bafana jersey for that of the national under-23s.

Campbell was part of Mosimane’s first Bafana Bafana squad that played three matches between the end of September and beginning of October. He was not included in the matchday squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, but he came on to make an impact in the friendly international against Egypt, setting up Puso Dithejane for the winning goal in that clash.

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Senior National Team Coach Personally Requested the Move

It was a promising display for the senior national team, but there was a discussion between Mosimane and under-23 coach Raymond Mdaka for Campbell to form part of the side for the upcoming U-23 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar. They will play Madagascar in back-to-back qualifiers, with both matches to be played at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

As one of the senior players in the team, Campbell’s presence will be important, with the ultimate goal being to qualify for the Olympics.

“I Will Do Anything for the Nation”

Campbell revealed that Mosimane personally called him to explain the decision, sharing the conversation that led to him dropping down to the U-23 setup.

“Coach Pitso called me and he told me he believed in me and he said he wanted me to go down to the under-23 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’.”

“The under-23 team has been my team since Cosafa. I know everyone very well and the coach Raymond and coach Pitso believe in me. They trust me, which I love the most. Trust is important, so I thank them for trusting me,” Campbell told media from the under-23 camp.

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