Hugo Broos questions Club Brugge decision over Shandre Campbell

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has questioned the logic behind Club Brugge's delayed release of Shandre Campbell for AFCON as he is not a regular feature in their starting XI.

The 20-year-old, along with Tylon Smith, were suprise inclusions in the Belgian's final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad, as the pair had never received a senior national team call-up.

While the QPR defender is already with the team, Campbell is still in Belgium, much to the frustration of Broos, who argues that the SuperSport United academy graduate is not a key player and the club can do without him, instead of releasing him on 15 December.

“You can't negotiate because the clubs cite FIFA's date of 15 December, so I was very happy that QPR released Tylon Smith. With Shandre, the day he got the call-up, five minutes later we had a letter from Brugge saying only the 15th,” said the Veteran tactician.

"And this is a little bit bitter because you can do that with a guy who plays regularly with the first team. Shandre is always on the bench and sometimes not on the bench, or he's playing the last five minutes.

"So, I'm asking myself what is the reason to keep that player in your club when he can have an opportunity to have preparation with the national team for AFCON. Shandre played last Saturday with the second team of Brugge who plays in the second division of Belgium - he scored two times, they won 2-1, he played fantastic. So, that is good that he is playing games and that he is not only on the bench.

Meanwhile, the 73-year-old mentor is also without Siyabonga Ngezana and Lyle Foster in camp, as they both have matches in the upcoming days, but expected to join the squad shortly after.

“But for Ngezana he is playing on Monday, I don't think there will be a problem, only he had to play Europa League. And Lyle is playing on Saturday, but again, we can't negotiate, those are the rules,” Broos added.

"I think maybe I should do the same when I should be a Club Chairman or a coach and it is an important player, I should say, ‘Sorry, he stays here until the 15th’. But I think that some clubs have to be a little bit more considerate of the player because if Shandre is not in Brugge, it's not the reason why Brugge should lose the game - but those are the rules and we have to accept.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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