Why Pitso Mosimane asked Shandre Campbell to leave the Bafana squad

Shandre Campbell has opened up about a conversation with Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane that led to a change in his international assignment.

Pitso explains Campbell's move to U-23 squad

Campbell revealed that Mosimane personally contacted him to discuss his inclusion in South Africa's under-23 squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar.

The 21-year-old was part of Mosimane's first Bafana Bafana squad, which played three matches between late September and early October. He missed the matchday squads for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea but made an impact in the friendly against Egypt, providing the assist for Puso Dithejane's winning goal.

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Mosimane also discussed the move with under-23 coach Raymond Mdaka, with Campbell expected to bring senior-team experience to the younger squad.

Campbell ready to help South Africa qualify for Olympics

The former Club Brugge attacker said Mosimane explained that he wanted him to take on a leadership role with the under-23 team.

"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'."

Campbell added that he was familiar with the team and appreciated the trust placed in him by both coaches.

"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.

South Africa will face Madagascar twice at Lucas Moripe Stadium, with qualification for the Olympics the ultimate target.

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