Bafana Star Headlines Mdaka’s Final U23 Squad! Shandre Campbell Included For Crucial Olympic Qualifiers

South Africa Under-23 head coach Raymond Mdaka has announced his final 24-man squad for the upcoming two-legged qualifying battle against Madagascar, as Amaglug-glug continue their quest to reach the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The announcement, made on Friday, 30 October 2026, marks an important stage in South Africa’s preparations for the November assignment. Mdaka has settled on his group after assessing a wider pool of players, with several exciting young talents given the opportunity to represent the country.

One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Bafana Bafana starlet Shandre Campbell, whose recent involvement with the senior national team has attracted considerable attention.

The Belgium-based attacker was part of the senior squad during preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. He also provided the assist for Puso Dithejane’s winning goal in South Africa’s 1-0 victory over Egypt.

His inclusion gives Mdaka another attacking option with international experience and the ability to make a difference in important moments.

Campbell’s presence will undoubtedly attract attention from South African football supporters, particularly because of his growing reputation and progress in European football.

The youngster now has an opportunity to demonstrate his quality at Under-23 level while helping the national team move closer to its Olympic ambitions.

Mdaka, who guided South Africa to the 2026 COSAFA Under-20 Championship title, will be hoping his selected players can translate their individual abilities into a strong collective performance.

The final selection also reflects the importance of developing young players who could eventually become regular members of the senior Bafana Bafana squad.

For the selected footballers, these qualifiers represent more than two international fixtures. They are an opportunity to showcase their talent, gain valuable experience and strengthen their international careers.

South Africa are scheduled to face Madagascar on Saturday, 14 November, before the second encounter on Tuesday, 17 November.

Both matches are set to take place at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, giving the South African side the opportunity to play both legs on familiar territory.

The unusual arrangement is linked to Madagascar's stadium situation, with reports indicating that the country cannot host the fixture at a FIFA-approved venue.

That makes the assignment particularly important for Mdaka’s technical team, who will want to take advantage of the familiar surroundings and deliver results across both encounters.

The qualifiers form part of the pathway to the 2027 CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. That tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Only the top two teams at the continental tournament will secure Olympic qualification, meaning South Africa must successfully negotiate the qualifying rounds before reaching that stage.

The winners of the two-legged encounter against Madagascar will advance to the next qualifying round, where they are scheduled to face either Rwanda or Cameroon in March 2027.

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