Club Brugge have made a decision on whether to release Shandre Campbell for the upcoming youth Africa Cup of Nations.
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The Under-20 AFCON is set to be held in Ivory Coast in April, and Raymond Mdaka recently announced his preliminary squad, which included the Johannesburg native in the 30-man shortlist. Since arriving in Belgium, the youngster has gradually ascended in prominence with the record Jupiler Pro League side.
He has gone from playing for the club's second division side, Club NXT, to now being a first-team member of Nicky Hayen's squad.
As a consequence of the left winger moving up the ranks in Europe, his participation in the youth continental showpiece could be jeopardised, as it does not fall within the FIFA international break. This means Brugge would not be obligated to release him should they deem his services necessary for the run-in of the season.
However, Amajita will not have an issue calling up the former SuperSport United man, according to head coach Raymond Mdaka. The U-20 South African tactician has revealed that they have been in dialogue with Brugge and that the club is open to letting their starlet compete for a chance to head to the U-20 FIFA World Cup.
"We have been having a very good engagement with the team [Club Brugge] for Shandre [Campbell]," Mdaka told Football Stage.
"Shandre was here in the first camp when we started building up the team. When we went to Lesotho, it was just the time he had started playing that side [in Belgium], and we decided not to include him in the squad so that he could gel with his new teammates because it was just a friendly game.
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"So, we said we would get him when we go to the 2024 COSAFA U-20 Championships, and indeed we got him. Even now, the senior team manager is engaging with the team [Club Brugge]. So, based on our agreement, we will have Shandre and Lowe [Fletcher] on the team for the AFCON."
