Shandre Campbell in line for UEFA Champions League debut

Published on by Joel Oliver

South African teen sensation could feature for Club Brugge against Borussia Dortmund

South African teen sensation Shandre Campbell could make his UEFA Champions League debut for Club Brugge as they face German giants Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Campbell, who joined the Belgian giants from SuperSport United in July, is settling in well at his new club and recently scored his debut goal, when featuring for the second-string side.

Despite starting his stint in Belgium in the second-string team, the 19-year-old was among players included in Club Brugge’s Champions League squad by coach Nicky Hayen and he has a chance of featuring in the prestigious competition at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

Shandre Campbell celebrates a goal for Club NXT. Photo - Imago
Shandre Campbell celebrates a goal for Club NXT. Photo – Imago

Club Brugge are in a tricky group that has Dortmund, Italian side AC Milan, SK Sturm Graz from Austria, Scottish giants Celtic, Premier League club Aston Villa and Sporting Lisbon from Portugal.

Will Campbell make the matchday squad?

It would be a great experience for the youngster who would join other South African legends such as Benni McCarthy, Quinton Fortune and Steven Pienaar among others who have featured in the competition.

Club Brugge opted to start Campbell in their second-string side Club NXT in the Belgium second division and he scored his first goal last month when he smashed the ball in the top corner via a left-footed stunner.

The teen sensation had been introduced with 18 minutes left when Club NXT were trailing 2-1 against Patro Eisden in the Belgium second division, popularly known as Challenger Pro League, and wasted no time to make his presence felt.

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Joel Oliver

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.