SuperSport United have a rich history of having developed some of the country's best talent. The likes of Ronwen Williams, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Kermit Erasmus are all products of the Matsatsantsa youth system and now, Shandre Campbell is the latest to emerge from there and is ready to make his own mark.
Campbell, who managed 16 goals for Thabo's September's winning side this season was in the running for the DDC Player of the Year award. He has also been tipped by the club's CEO Stan Matthews for a step-up to the first team.
The Siya crew caught up with the talented midfielder.
Congratulations on being crowned the SuperSport United DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season. What does winning these awards mean for you?
Wow. Winning these awards, I feel like I make my parents proud. It's just the beginning. I feel like they deserve these awards. They're always pushing me hard and like getting these awards. It's not about the award, more about the hard work I put in. I've been pushing. All these coaches have been pushing me and I am just grateful for achieving both awards.
Just looking at your coach September, tell us about the role he's played in the season you've had.
Well, when I started the season, I wasn't on my feet because it's technically my first season playing DDC, so I was still finding my feet. He taught me how to find my feet. He disciplined me when I wasn't disciplined and he just grinded with me and he was patient with me. And as we went on, we started to receive improvement and obviously it led to these rewards.
There is a trip to London that you are looking forward to as it gives you the opportunity to not only expose your talent, but also put yourself in the shop window for European teams...
Yeah, we are looking forward to it. I think it's in July, so we're all positive about it and we'll go there and do the same thing we do in South Africa.
Now looking at the SuperSport United academy through the years many of the players have made a step up to the first team and have excelled elsewhere. Does it give you added motivation to follow in their footsteps?
Yeah, it definitely does considering [that] they are hardworking players and I think that if I follow behind them, I will also be able to achieve it if not even better, but I'm not being cocky or anything, but I just need to work hard and stay level headed. I will put in the hard work that I promised my parents. I'll make sure that I make my parents proud, and I will reach a top, top, top level and I'll do my best.
