‘Almost feels like a Ronwen story’ – Arendse on Shandre Campbell
SuperSport United assistant coach Andre Arendse has shared some similarities of the growth of Shandre Campbell to that of Ronwen Williams in the club’s youth structure level.
Campbell was promoted to the Tshwane-based side in July 2023 after making his mark in the club’s development structures. His prolific scoring ability [16 goals] led Matsatsantsa to their first-ever DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] league trophy in the 2022/23 season, earning him the club’s DDC Player of the Year award.
Campbell’s exceptional performance caught the eye of SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt, who swiftly promoted him to the first team.
The 19-year-old then made his debut for SuperSport when they defeated Richards Bay FC 2-0 in a league tie in August 2023 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. He provided two assists in the game and went on to play 24 games, scoring five goals and providing six assists in the PSL.
His outstanding season culminated in nominations for the DStv Premiership Young Player of the Year and Nedbank Player of the Year awards. After his great debut season in the PSL, Belgium league champions Club Brugge KV signed him.
The teenage sensation has since made great progress in his first six months with the Belgian giants, having joined the club in July last year. The ex-Matsatsantsa attacker had an instant impact, netting six goals and contributing one assist in only 13 Challenger Pro League appearances for the club’s feeder team, Club NXT.
ANDRE ARENDSE COMPARES SHANDRE CAMPBELL GROWTH TO THAT OF RONWEN WILLIAMS
“I am very proud, I really am, and I am just one of the coaching staff who have had the honour of working with him [Campbell],” said Arendse.
“We have youth team coaches who have spent even more time with Shandre since he was [young].”
“It almost feels like a Ronwen Williams story. I coached Ronwen when he was 12 years old, and he still came through the ranks. We have new development coaches at our club who have done the same with Shandre Campbell and saw his growth, nurtured him through the different processes and the journey that he is on at the moment.”
SUPERSPORT UNITED ASSISTANT COACH PROUD OF CLUB’S YOUTH PRODUCT
“But it also comes down to the player and the attitude and the willingness and the desire to want to go abroad, to want to better themselves and to want to play at the highest level. He sat on the bench against Aston Villa in the [UEFA] Champions League. Maybe he will get to play in the reserve fixture of that particular game, and that’s what we are all hoping,” he added.
“That’s what we all want to see. More of our players are playing at the highest level because it’s only going to benefit our national team. I can’t wait for Shandre Campbell to come and represent our national team, for example. He is creating a better life for himself, financially and, of course, in playing style and playing ability. So as a club, there is no doubt that we are super proud of him.”
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