Broos’ AFCON selection of two 20-year-olds speaks to a vision for Bafana Bafana's future

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Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has made waves by including two uncapped players in his squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco later this month.

The surprise selections of 20-year-old Shandre Campbell and Tylon Smith are a bold move that underscores his dedication to shaping the future of the national team. Broos’s forward-thinking vision aims to build a competitive Bafana Bafana capable of achieving success on the continental stage.

Both players have significant potential. Even with their limited experience at senior level, this season marks the continuation of Broos’s commitment to investing in youth. Campbell is a winger for Club Brugge in Belgium, while Smith is a centre-back currently with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in the Championship.

Campbell has demonstrated tremendous promise while playing for Club Brugge’s reserves, scoring nine goals in 17 appearances last season and earning a deserved place in the senior squad. Despite featuring sparingly in Belgium’s top flight — with six substitute appearances and a goal to his name against Zulte Waregem — his involvement in high-stakes Uefa Champions League matches, albeit in limited roles, has equipped him with invaluable learning moments.

His versatility, being able to operate on both wings and centrally, enhances his potential to provide critical support to the team whenever needed, particularly during key tactical shifts.

For Smith, his recent transfer to QPR followed a standout performance at the Under-20 AFCON, where he was pivotal in South Africa’s triumphant campaign. Although he has yet to make his senior debut for QPR, his youth performances have drawn attention.

He has predominantly featured for the Under-21 side this season, and while Broos acknowledges that a lack of club playing time could pose challenges during AFCON, the hope is that the experience will serve him well in the long run.

While it may be unlikely that both players will see significant minutes on the pitch in Morocco — with Campbell perhaps more likely to benefit from potential injuries or suspensions among seasoned team members — the opportunity to partake in such a prestigious tournament is an invaluable experience for the youngsters.

Their involvement represents a commitment to nurturing talent that could inspire a new generation of footballers eager to leave their mark on the national stage.

One distinctive aspect of Broos’s management style is his readiness to adapt and acknowledge past decisions. Although he has not explicitly admitted to prior missteps regarding Smith and Campbell, their selections signal a notable shift in his approach, contrasting with his earlier cautions against wholesale changes close to tournament time.

His willingness to revisit selections — which previously led to omissions such as that of Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane, most likely due to ongoing injury concerns — reflects the complex balance national coaches face between player health and performance, further solidifying his reputation for accountability.

As the team gears up for their AFCON journey, the hope surrounding Smith and Campbell transcends their personal development; it symbolises Broos’s larger vision for the future of South African football.

With a strategic focus on youth and potential, this national squad could find themselves in the spotlight as a new AFCON chapter unfolds.