Bafana Bafana star Shandre Campbell Gets UEFA Champions League Minutes in Brugge Win

After two painful home defeats, Club Brugge finally secured a much‑needed Champions League victory on Tuesday night, beating Kairat Almaty 4‑1 away to keep their knockout hopes alive.

For South Africans, the big talking point was the introduction of Shandre Campbell, who made his UEFA Champions League debut. The 19‑year‑old winger came off the bench in the 77th minute to replace Carlos Forbs, marking a proud moment for Mzansi football as another local talent stepped onto Europe’s biggest stage.

On paper, Kairat Almaty looked a manageable opponent. Rooted to the bottom of the league phase with just one point after six matchdays and coming off a month‑long winter break, they were vulnerable. Brugge themselves had been struggling, with a cup exit to Charleroi and a league defeat against La Louvière, but in Almaty they showed resilience.

Aleksandar Stankovic opened the scoring in the 34th minute, captain Hans Vanaken doubled the lead five minutes later, and further goals from Romeo Vermant and Brandon Mechele sealed the win. Adilet Sadybekov netted a late consolation for the hosts in stoppage time.

With seven points, Brugge now sit 23rd just inside the top 24 qualifying spots. To secure progression, they must beat Marseille at home on Wednesday, 28 January. For South Africans, though, the night will be remembered for Campbell’s first taste of Champions League football, a milestone that could signal the start of a promising European career.