Why Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Club Brugge's Shandre Campbell were excluded from Amajita 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup squad - explained

Raymond Mdaka has named his final squad for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup to be hosted by Chile from October 27 to November 19.

Amajita are in Group E together with France, the United States and New Caledonia.

Arriving in Chile as African champions, South Africa will be without Orlando Pirates centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Club Brugge attacker Shandre Campbell. 

"Mbekezeli Mbokazi was not considered as part of an agreement between Mdaka and his Bafana Bafana counterpart, Hugo Broos," SAFA said in a statement.
"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.  
"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," the statement went on.
"Bafana Bafana coach Broos stepped in and tried to negotiate with the Belgians, but the club still refused to accept the call-up letter."

With Bafana entering a key phase of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Broos' insistence on having Mbokazi around underlines the teenage star's importance in the senior national side.

That saw the veteran Belgian coach having to persuade Mdaka not to include the 19-year-old in his Under-20 World Cup squad.

Campbell has also proved to be highly valued at Club Brugge, who cannot afford to lose him and could not heed Broos' plea to have him released for the tournament in Chile.

After winning the Africa Under-20 Nations Cup without Mbokazi and Campbell, South Africa will be hoping the duo's absence will not show on the global stage.

Mdaka's side begin their World Cup campaign by facing France on September 29 at Estadio El Teniente.