Raymond Mdaka accepts Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Shandre Campbell absence

SAFA, in partnership with Honor, will host a send-off function for the U20 Men’s National Team ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, with Mbokazi and Club Brugge attacker Shandre Campbell two notable absentees.

Mdaka explained that ‘TLB’ had to remain behind and concentrate on helping Bafana in their final two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda next month.

"No coach in the country would want to do without Mbokazi, but at the same time, this was one situation where I, as the U20 coach, have to understand," said Mdaka.

"Especially with the request from the senior head coach, in terms of Bafana qualifying for the World Cup, so that's where the [decision] came to say, it's fine, let it go, as long as he's within the national teams, he's going to be with Bafana, we'll accept it.

"We were going to get him [from Pirates], but it's just that we had already qualified for the World Cup – as much as he would have loved to [play in the U20 World Cup], like we were discussing with him. 

"I started with Mbokazi, taking him from the Pirates DDC, and I would have loved to be with him, but I understand."

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The unavailability of Campbell is another serious concern for Mdaka and his technical team, as Club Brugge have refused to release him outside of the FIFA international window, as was the case for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations  in May. 

Mdaka says Broos tried his best to get Campbell released but the Jupiler Pro League outfit wouldn’t budge.

"Some things when you speak to people – they might not understand how and why, and the same applies to the issue of Shandre," he added.

"It was a sure case to us, but three days beyond, things were different and I'm telling you, Broos tried his level best – he tried more than he could, but the [deadline] dates were coming and we ended up feeling, no let's close the case."