Shandre Campbell earmarked for Europe, not Mamelodi Sundowns – agent

Addressing the seemingly strong view that the 18-year-old could soon be on the Mamelodi Sundowns shopping list if he continues the purple patch in his first season in the Premier Soccer League topflight, Mike Makaab played down any such possibility regarding his client.   

Campbell was promoted to the SuperSport senior team by coach Gavin Hunt at the start of the 2023/24 campaign after he was voted Player of the Year in the DStv Diski Challenge, which is the reserve league.

Sundowns were quick to snap up Thapelo Maseko, another winger who spent just one year with Hunt following his graduation, before his big money move to Chloorkop in July for a reported R20-million fee. 

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“Shandre is earmarked for Europe – his ambition and dream is to play at the highest level possible in Europe. We already have a number of European clubs monitoring him and his progress,” said Makaab. 

The reality is that Maseko was also wanted by Belgian side KV Westerlo and, according to SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews, had been invited for trials in England although he never went. 

Makaab all but ruled out the likelihood of a similar scenario being replayed when it comes to Campbell, who has already made 15 senior team appearances. 

“This very much depends on the player’s desire, which we will support without a doubt. Look at our national team, fewer players are going to Europe and we wonder why at times we can’t compete with other African countries. The majority of their players are in the top leagues in Europe,” the agent explained. 

“Nobody in their right mind would compare the quality of Europe with the PSL. We need to get players with supreme talent to the European market as soon as possible. There’s sadly not enough that are playing at this level.” 

Makaab also insisted that his agency and the player’s family are determined to make the teenager one of SA’s best exports. 

“We are heavily involved in his future and are very close to his family. All these things we discuss with his family. He is a young adult and their input is vital. But the most important thing is understanding his upbringing and the effort put in by his father. You can then understand why he has such amazing talent…these things don’t happen overnight. It can be [seen] as overnight success, but that’s over 10 years of hard work. It’s exactly that with Shandre, who is dedicated to his craft and is doing well at school. We could see him playing in Europe sooner rather than later.”