Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Shandre Campbell of Club Brugge have been left out of South Africa’s final Under-20 squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and SAFA has addressed their absence.
The 19-year-old has been a standout performer for the Buccaneers this season and recently made his senior Bafana Bafana debut in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Mbokazi featured in the 1-0 win over Lesotho and the 1-1 draw against Nigeria, earning Man-of-the-Match honours against experienced internationals such as Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi.
Many expected him to be a key inclusion in coach Raymond Mdaka’s 21-player squad announced on Thursday.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos has previously hailed Mbokazi as one of South Africa’s top defensive prospects, capable of thriving in Europe’s top leagues. His omission, therefore, has sparked debate among fans and pundits.
“Mbekezeli Mbokazi was not considered as part of an agreement between Mdaka and his Bafana Bafana counterpart Hugo Broos. The defender will be part of the Bafana Bafana squad that will play two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda next month,” said SAFA.
Mbokazi is not the only notable absence. Belgium-based winger Shandre Campbell, who plays for Club Brugge, was also left out, despite participating in the most recent preparatory camp in Johannesburg.
“Belgium-based Shandre Campbell is another notable absentee after he was denied permission to join the Chile-bound South African U20 squad by his side Club Brugge. Bafana Bafana coach Broos stepped in and tried to negotiate with the Belgians, but the club still refused to accept the call-up letter.”
The reigning Under-20 African champions have been drawn in Group E alongside France, the USA, and New Caledonia.
“The South African Under 20 Men’s National Team has once again resumed its programs in preparation for the U20 FIFA World Cup. Having started with a recent camp during the September FIFA calendar, which was from the 1st of September to the 9th, where we were supposed to finalize the team of about 21 players that will be representing the country,” said coach Raymond Mdaka.
“Yes, it was a very good camp, honestly. A lot of headaches where we had all these players, about 30 players, and then trying to come up with 21. Very, very difficult. But the fact that we’ve been with the players for so long, that’s one thing that helped us to be able to come up with the final list.
“The final list, if you look at it, consists of about 80% of the players who have been through the programs since we started in our preparation, through COSAFA and the U20 AFCON.
“We are happy because these players have even graduated here. They are first team players, most of them. And not only having graduated to the first team, but at the same time, most of them are getting minutes in their first teams, which helps because, you know, with the national team, you only have them sometimes maybe for a week or so,” he concluded.
Amajita final squad:
Fletcher Smythe-Lowe (Estoril Praia, Portugal)
Takalani Mazhamba (Kaizer Chiefs)
Kgoleng Ratisani (Sekhukhune United)
Sfiso Timba (Kaizer Chiefs)
Asekho Tiwani (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Neo Rapo (Siwelele FC)
Siviwe Nkwali (Stellenbosch FC)
Thato Sibiya (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers, England)
Lazola Maku (Siwelele FC)
Patrick Autata (Durban City)
Gomolemo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Kutlwano Letlhaku (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Langelihle Phili (Stellenbosch FC)
Mfundo Vilakazi (Kaizer Chiefs)
Shakeel April (Cape Town City)
Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Thabang Mahlangu (Siwelele FC)
Jody Ah Shene (Cape Town City)
Siviwe Magidigidi (Siwelele FC)
Luke Baartman (Kaizer Chiefs)