Belgian-based Shandre Campbell is one of seven new faces that South Africa named on Friday in their under-23 squad as they begin Olympic Games qualifying against Madagascar next month.
Campbell, who moved to Kortrijk at the start of the season from Club Brugge, is one of four foreign-based players in the squad that also includes former under-20 team captain Tylon Smith, now playing in Major League Soccer.
The other two European-based players are left back Thato Sibiya, who Mamelodi Sundowns loaned to French club Lille this season, and goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe, another who has moved up from the under-20 side.
The under-20 captain Lazola Maku, who last week signed for Sundowns, is another of the newcomers, along with defenders Moses Mphekgoane and Cassy Snyders, who both compete in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Lamontville Golden Arrows’ midfielder Nhlanhla Gasa, Thabang Mahlangu of Sekhukhune United and Siwelele’s teenage playmaker Manelis Mazibuko have also received a first call-up.
The Kaizer Chiefs pair of Faiz Abrahams and Luke Baartman are among those dropped from the squad that played two preparatory friendlies against Algeria in Bloemfontein last month.
South African U23 Men's National Team Head Coach Raymond Mdaka has announced the final squad that will face Madagascar in back to back Olympic Games qualifiers next month. South Africa and the Islanders face off on Saturday 14 November with the second leg on Tuesday, 17 November 2026. Both matches are at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. #SAU23 #RoadToOlympics2028 @adidas @StandardBankZA @adidasfootball @sabcsport @honorza @rexona_sa @nutritechfit @socios @10betza @flysaa
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) October 30, 2026
SQUAD
Goalkeeper: Enrique Erasmus (unattached), Kgoleng Ratisani (Orlando Pirates), Fletcher Smythe-Lowe (Estoril, Portugal),
Defenders: Moses Mphekgoane (Hope FC), Siviwe Nkwali (Stellenbosch), Neo Rapoo (Orlando Pirates), Thato Sibiya (Lille, France), Tylon Smith (New England Revolution, USA), Cassidy Snyders (University of Pretoria), Asekho Tiwani (Kruger United), Luthando Vena (Stellenbosch)
Midfielders: Camren Dansin (Orlando Pirates), Gomolemo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dhakier Lee (Cape Town City), Thabang Mahlangu (Sekhukhune United), Lazola Maku (Mamelodi Sundowns), Manelis Mazibuko (Siwelele), Quwan Plaatjies (Stellenbosch), Simphiwe Selepe (Orlando Pirates)
Forwards: Shandre Campbell (Kortrijk, Belgium), Nhlanhla Gasa (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Kutlwano Letlhaku (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Padime (Orlando Pirates), Mfundo Vilakazi (Kaizer Chiefs).