South Africa’s rising star Shandre Campbell’s progress in Belgium is well-documented, and rightly so.
The 19-year-old winger was signed by Club Brugge last August from SuperSport United and integrated into the former’s second team, where he’s had a fine run this season.
Campbell’s return of nine goals and two assists in 19 appearances appears to stand him in good stead for his first-team aspirations.
“Shandre is training with the team now. He has shown that he has the potential, and this is how we work,” said Club Brugge first team coach Nicky Hayen last month.
“We give players with high potential the next step by training with the first team and give them minutes where it’s possible. When he deserves it, he will get the minutes.”
Campbell made the cut to the squad that was booted out of the UEFA Champions League last 16 tie by English top-flight side Aston Villa and received a jersey from Villa’s Marcus Rashford, who’s one of Campbell’s favourite players.
At the rate he’s going, there’s every reason to believe Campbell is set for stardom and would likely prove right his former coach, Gavin Hunt, who guided him at SuperSport United and expects him to reach dizzying heights.
“I think the next move is to get into the (Club Brugge) first team permanently, which I’m sure by next season he’ll be a lot closer to playing more. We look forward to his progress and good luck,” Hunt commented to SuperSport.com recently.
Campbell was pulled from South Africa’s U20 team, Amajita, that’s participating in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt, as he makes headway into Brugge’s first team.
“Shandre Campbell is not part of the squad. His team (Club Brugge) has cited issues of him being in their first team, and also issues of their championship,” explained Amajita coach, Raymond Mdaka.
The Johannesburg-born lad has shown he’s got the potential to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Shaun Bartlett, Benni McCarthy, Quinton Fortune, Steven Pienaar, Delron Buckley, and Kagisho Dikgacoi, who left a mark in Europe’s top leagues.
However, only time will tell whether he can reach his full potential.
