Making a name for himself in Belgium South African teenager Shandre Campbell, seen here in action for Club NXT, was on the bench for Club Brugge's Champion League clash against Aston Villa on Tuesday. Photo: Jill Delsaux/Belga Mag/Belga via AFP
Image: Jill Delsaux/Belga Mag/Belga via AFP
Shandre Campbell's football career took a massive step forward on Tuesday when the teenager made the bench in Club Brugge's Champions League Last 16 game against Premier League side Aston Villa.
The 19-year-old spent the entire game on the bench as his side were beaten 3-1, but the experience will have been an invaluable one for the youngster who was playing in the Betway Premiership just last season.
Brugge appeared out of their depth against the Premier League side, conceding a goal as early as the third minute. They equalised soon, but a couple of late strikes ensured that they have a mountain to climb to reach the quarter-finals.
For Campbell, though, featuring on the bench suggests he's finally starting to arrive on the big stage. It's now up to him to make sure that he's given more opportunities in order to become a better footballer.
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Speaking about his development, Club Brugge coach Nicky Hayen detailed that he was impressed with the progress the player has made since completing the move from SuperSport United in South Africa's PSL.
“He showed with [Club] NXT he has potential and this is the way we work. With high potentials we give them the step by training with the first team and give them minutes where it’s possible," Hayen said after the game against Aston Villa.
“When he deserves it he will get minutes.”
Due to Campbell's progress in Belgium, there were calls for him to be included in Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin later this month.
However, Broos resisted the temptation and the youngster was not included in the preliminary squad named on Tuesday. The Belgian will definitely be keeping an eye on his development, and the youngster could even feature in next year's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
While Campbell may have missed out on a national team call-up this time, his inclusion in a Champions League squad at just 19 is a sign of his growing reputation in European football. The exposure to high-level competition, even from the bench, will serve as a crucial learning experience as he adjusts to the intensity and tactical demands of top-tier football.
With Club Brugge still competing on multiple fronts, opportunities could arise for him to make his senior debut in the coming weeks, especially if he continues to impress in training.
The road ahead remains challenging, but Campbell has already taken strides that many young South African footballers dream of. His rise from the Betway Premiership to the Champions League stage highlights his talent and work ethic, and if he maintains his upward trajectory, a breakthrough moment is only a matter of time.
Whether it comes in Belgium or on the international stage with Bafana Bafana, Campbell’s journey is one to watch closely.
IOL Sport