Hugo Broos gives his clear view on the readiness of players Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell! | OneFootball

Many questions arise regarding the readiness of the two stars.

Shandre Campbell

By the second round of matches in the AFCON 2025 tournament, many fans are wondering about the readiness of two of Bafana Bafana’s best young players who could perform at their best with the national team and contribute significantly to making Bafana Bafana a force to be reckoned with in any match they might participate in.

Speaking of Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell, the two stars who are currently playing professionally in Europe, they only appeared on the bench, so it was very sad to see that for Bafana fans because they know their importance in this tournament.

In preparation for the final group stage match against Zimbabwe on Monday, the 73-year-old Belgian coach revealed his stance on the players.

What did Broos say about the position of ylon Smith and Shandre Campbell!

The Belgian manager highlighted that the selection of the defender from Queens Park Rangers and the winger from Club Brugge is fundamentally an investment in the future.

"As the saying goes in my language, you shouldn't throw someone to the lions," Broos remarked. "We must not throw them to the lions. It wouldn't be beneficial for them. For Tylon and Shandre, simply being part of this squad is a tremendous achievement. They are performing well in training, yet certain nuances of the game at this level remain for them to master."

He regards their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations as an invaluable learning experience that will foster their progress and serve them well going forward.

"It's unfortunate; a victory over Egypt last Friday might have allowed us to give them some playing time.

"However, I must consider the consequences of starting them on Monday or introducing them in a critical situation. They aren't prepared for that level of responsibility yet. They are talented, but currently not ready for such a step. Nevertheless, the knowledge they gain throughout these weeks with the national team will be a significant asset for Bafana Bafana in the coming months, and potentially even for the World Cup qualifications—we shall see."