Tylon Smith ready to use AFCON as learning curve | OneFootball

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Smith to gain experience at AFCON

Photo: Getty Images

Bafana Bafana defender Tylon Smith is ready to use the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco as a learning curve to gain valuable experience.

The 20-year-old was one of the surprise inclusions, along with Shandre Campbell, in Hugo Broos' final squad for the continental showpiece as the pair had never received a senior call-up.

Smith secured a move to English Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in July 2025, at the back of a stellar U20 AFCON campaign, where Amajita lifted the title in May.

Now, heading to a senior AFCON, the Stellenbosch FC academy product says he is ready to learn from more established center-backs in the squad in order to enhance his development.

“I'm very calm, I'm still young, I'm 20-years-old. I know my time will come and like I said, I just have to learn from the players with more experience, who play in my position and take that to help me improve as a player - I just have to learn,” Smith said.

On adjusting to the national team set-up, Smith believes he was going to be accustomed to his surroundings even though there was no other player at his age like Campbell, in the squad.

“I think I would still adjust even though there wasn't another 20-year-old in the team because every single player in this team is making me feel welcome in everything,” added the Dstv Diski Challenge [DDC] 2024/25 Player of the Season.

Meanwhile, Bafana are in Group B with Angola, neighbors Zimbabwe, and record seven-time African champions Egypt, with the tournament set to commence on 21 December.