Having witnessed Shandre Campbell’s football prowess in his formative years alongisde being a mentor to the youngster, veteran striker Bernard Parker is convinced the teenager is ready for the European stage.
SuperSport United’s Campbell, 18, was one of the breakout stars during the recently completed DStv Premiership season.
After making the senior team debut in August against Richards Bay FC, the teenage sensation quickly became the talk of the town in local football circles.
The youngster went on to make 30 appearances across all competitions under the watchful eye of veteran coach Gavin Hunt, scoring five goals and providing six assists.
Campbell’s exploits saw him nominated for the DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season and Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player awards, which both went to Orlando Pirates wonderkid Relebohile Mofokeng.
The SuperSport attacker has also garnered increasing attention in transfer discussions, with many suitors reportedly circling.
Veteran TS Galaxy player Parker, who has been closely involved in Campbell’s development, hopes the player’s next move will see him head to Europe.
⭐️Off Season
— Football SA (@SAFootClassics) June 18, 2024
SuperSport United’s Shandre Campbell taking care of his fitness. pic.twitter.com/U3gvXkjZvZ
“Shandre Campbell grew up under me. His father and I grew up in the same street in Reiger Park and we have been friends ever since,” Parker told the media during his unveiling as one of the brand ambassadors of the Clinix Health Group.
“So, during Shandre’s development stages and all of that, I was mainly part of it together with his father. (He) has been under my mentorship as well, I believe he is ready to play in Europe.
“And I didn’t want him to taste first-team football (in the PSL) yet, I wanted him to go straight to Europe. But now that he has tasted first-team football, he knows that he has to work hard and how high the standard is.
“He (Campbell) still needs to work hard because he has got a long way to go,” Parker added.
The former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs striker, Parker, similarly moved to Europe at the early age of 23.
Parker featured for Red Star Belgrade of Serbia, FC Twente in Holland and Greece’s Panserraikos FC between 2009 and 2011.
READ: Further Kaizer Chiefs stars set for sensational exit following Keagan Dolly departure
The veteran striker also revealed that Campbell is not the only mentee that has reached the PSL as his nephew Donnay Jansen made his senior team debut for Amakhosi recently.
“The same goes for Donnay Jansen who is now at Kaizer Chiefs. I’m also happy for him, he is my nephew,” Parker said.
“He also went through his development stages with Shandre Campell, and they split, he went to Chiefs and Shandre went to SuperSport.
“I’m also happy for him that he made his debut for the senior team at Kaizer Chiefs.
“I’m grateful and thankful that I did a good job by inspiring the young boys. And for Shandre Campbell, the future is very bright for him.
“I’m confident that he would be the next best player to come out of South Africa and hopefully get to break some records.
“He has the potential to break some records, he can be a top goal scorer and the main man for Bafana Bafana, or he can be playing an important role for any team at any high level.”
⭐️ Shandre Campbell. pic.twitter.com/WLZTFKI8YJ
— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) February 20, 2024
