Both those players (Shandre Campbell and Ime Okon) will go to Europe. They will not be sold locally. They do not have European buy-out clauses like (Teboho) Mokoena and (Sipho) Mbule. But both have indicated they want to try and play overseas, and we are pushing that agenda, and we are happy with that. So, I think it's good for them to set their sights high. And Ime will make his way to Europe probably in July already and Shandre maybe one or two more seasons," SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews told the Siya crew amid talks of Mamelodi Sundowns reportedly showing interest in the two Matsatsantsa players. Based on the statement, a likely switch to Chloorkop, or any other PSL club, is slim, with Matthews looking to rake in euros or pounds for the young duo. And it remains to be seen whether the Brazilians will get their way as they so often do. Soccer Laduma investigates…
What the Siya crew has been told…
With the future in mind, Mamelodi Sundowns have unsurprisingly cast their eye on SuperSport United's promising duo, Shandre Campbell and Ime Okon. Early last month, the Siya crew reported that the Tshwane giants were tracking Campbell. Now, a second independent source has revealed that Okon is another player that has caught the eye of the Brazilians.
This publication has since been informed that SuperSport are hoping to buck the trend of selling their best players to their neighbours and have instead eyed a European transfer for the two youngsters. An independent source confirmed that Okon jetted out of the country at the start of the year where he spent some time training with Danish outfit Mitjylland. Matsatsantsa CEO Stan Matthews has stated that a return to Europe could be on the cards for the 19-year-old at the end of the 2023/24 season, while a later date has been earmarked for Campbell.
While they haven't inserted European buy-out clauses for the two players like they did with Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena, SuperSport have placed themselves in a comfortable position by tying down both players to long-term contracts, which could go a long way in dictating the players' futures. Well-placed Siya sources have indicated that a move to Sundowns is unlikely at this point, despite the two clubs sharing a mutually beneficial relationship.
SuperSport, for all their desire to export players to the biggest leagues in Europe, have not done so for the better part of the last 12 years, with Bongani Khumalo's transfer to Tottenham Hotspur their last massive bit of business with a European club.
Rather, they have done more business with Sundowns, a club that has the resources to not only produce higher offers than some of their European counterparts, but also boast a number of players that could entice SuperSport to sell.
Siya sources have indicated that Matsatsantsa are determined to find the best offers for their players, preferably in Europe, before considering any local moves.
On the back of Matthews' comments, at the present moment, Europe is the primary objective for both players – but Sundowns and their deep pockets cannot be ruled out of the equation.
What are the facts?
Matthews did not give much detail away about the clubs that are keen on the duo; however, he has revealed that he has received enquiries into Campbell from as high as the UEFA Champions League level.
"Shandre will definitely leave SuperSport and go directly to top-flight football in Europe. He's good enough. We've already had inquiries from top clubs in Europe, top, like Champions League level. But Shandre is still young, and he's still got a lot to learn in his game. He's still got a lot of ways to improve. He started very nicely scoring goals, making goals, showing a glimpse of what we know he's going to become. But I think Shandre will go on and become one of the best-ever graduates from our club. I could think of nothing better than for him to leave our shores like Bongani Khumalo did and go straight to Europe and Shandre won't come back."
The Siya crew has reported that a potential switch to Denmark could be on the cards for Okon, with Mitylland keen, while Matsatsantsa are believed to have turned down an offer from Tunisian outfit Al Hilal Benghazi for Campbell. In the past, SuperSport was amongst the leading exporting teams to Europe, thanks to their partnership with Dutch giants Feyenoord and Tottenham Hotspur.
The likes of Kermit Erasmus and Kamohelo Mokotjo were amongst the club's finest exports to Feyenoord; however, the ever-changing nature of the transfer market has seen the club change the way they do business.
Only three of SuperSport's players in Khumalo, Mokotjo and Erasmus were sold to European clubs for a fee, while a large majority of their players were sold locally to Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
Matthews maintains that the priority for both Okon and Campbell is Europe, although he is not afraid to sell his best players to his domestic rivals, for the right price.
The Story Behind The Scenes
Can Sundowns be ruled out?
Given the rich history between the two clubs, a move by Sundowns for both players cannot be ruled out at this point. The Chloorkop-based side have in the past proved that they are well capable of outbidding even more fancied European competition if they are keen on a player. But Matthews is singing a different tune, revealing that players hardly ever get sold once they make a big move to Sundowns or any other of the Big three.
"If a player wants to go and play in Europe, which of those Big Three are going to sell him? And that's what the player needs to answer. I'm looking for the best price. We sold (Patrick) Masangwanyi (to Pirates), we sold (Thapelo) Maseko (to Sundowns), but there we are, we're still in the top four, we're still boxing hard and producing youngsters. I've got another 10 coming through the club. Our production line at the moment is extremely strong and we aim to continue to produce good young players and definitely over time we'll be moving those players on, hopefully to Europe," he told the Siya crew.
Chiefs and Pirates to enter the race
While Matthews has prioritized a move to Europe for the duo, their archrivals remain lurking in the shadows, but the SuperSport CEO has seemingly opened the door to the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates to enter the race for the duo.
"You've seen, I'm not afraid to sell to Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns. I want the best deal for my club, and I want the capacity to be able to reinvest and stay competitive. You can't hold on to players forever, not at our level, not at the size of club we are. I think when you're Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns you lock players in, you tie them in, and you don't let them go. But for us we know that to remain competitive in the salary bracket, once you've passed a certain point at SuperSport, it's time for you to go and we don't have a problem with that. We're comfortable with that business strategy," Matthews said.
SuperSport banking on the duo
"Shandre is a big-ticket item for us as a club, so is Ime, you know. Both of those players should be bringing in euros and pounds for us."
Agent to play a crucial role
A key factor in where both players end up would be their representatives and where they are looking to do business. While it is uncertain who looks after Okon's interests in a management capacity, Campbell is part of ProSport International, a company run by renowned football agent Mike Makaab. Makaab has been at the forefront of a number of deals both internationally and locally – but it is South Africa where the former Pirates coach has done the bulk of his business. A look at some of the current names on the ProSport roster, and it is clear that Makaab has a knack for getting his players the best possible moves in the DStv Premiership. The likes of Gabadinho Mhango, Sage Stephens, Gamphani Lungu, Thalente Mbatha, Olisa Ndah, Mbule and Terrence Dzvukamanja are amongst some of the players at leading clubs in the PSL.
Watch This Space
While they have a decent track record with regards to selling players to Europe, SuperSport have not done so in over 10 years! A more realistic option is that of Mamelodi Sundowns who have forked out handsomely to land the coveted players from their neighbours while SuperSport have benefited from the moves by landing some of Downs' peripheral players in return. It is suffice to say that Matsatsantsa are looking beyond Pretoria or even Johannesburg this time around with their two players in the shop market, where they could potentially earn more than what they would from Sundowns and land potential sell-on fees with Campbell and Okon, unlike with Mokoena, Mbule and Maseko who all left for hefty price tags but SuperSport have no stake in these players. Potentially, SuperSport, whose conveyor belt of talent continues to produce, could forge new partnerships in Europe where they can send some of their best talents depending on where they sell both players. Though it remains to be seen what happens in the next few months, which could be telling for the future of both players.
