Orlando Pirates defender Bandile Shandu has opened up about the intense competition for the right-back position at the club this season.
The Soweto giants have a strong contingent of right-backs, including Bandile Shandu, Thabiso Monyane, Thabiso Lebitso, and Deano van Rooyen.
Injuries to Shandu and Lebitso last season limited their playing time, leaving Monyane as the primary right-back option. Before the start of the new 2024/25 campaign, the club responded by signing Van Rooyen from Stellenbosch FC.
Monyane and Van Rooyen started the current season as the first-choice right-backs. Recently, Pirates confirmed that Shandu has fully recovered from a long-term injury that sidelined him for nearly 11 months. While he is not yet fully fit, he did see some playing time during the international break in a friendly match.
Lebitso, on the other hand, is still recovering from an injury and has begun running as part of his rehabilitation process.
BANDILE SHANDU ON THE STIFF COMPETITION AT ORLANDO PIRATES
The 29-year-old is says he remains unfazed by the intense competition for the right-back position at Pirates. He views this as a healthy challenge that will drive the team to improve and perform at a higher level.
Shandu maintains that he is determined to earn a starting spot and contribute to the club’s success.
“It’s healthy competition [to have quality players]; if you are for playing for a big club [like Pirates], you are always going to have quality players that are coming in,” said Shandu.
“I think it’s part and parcel of being a professional player. It’s big for the club as well. I can’t wait to compete there.”
Having recovered from injury, Shandu is in line to feature when the Sea Robbers host the league’s newcomers, Magesi FC, in the Carling Knockout Cup’s Last 16.
The match will take place at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, 19 October and kick-off is set for 3PM.
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