Orlando Pirates defender Bandile Shandu has expressed determination and enthusiasm ahead of the highly anticipated Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday. 

The Buccaneers are looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses against Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League and Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership.

“We’ve been working very, very hard at training,” Shandu said, highlighting the team’s focus on improvement. “I think we’ve learned from our previous results, and we are looking forward to this game.” 

Despite the loss against Babina Noko, Pirates remain in second position on the log with 46 points, behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have 58 points.

Shandu emphasized the importance of executing the coach’s game plan to achieve favorable results. “I think if we do what the coach [Jose Riveiro] wants, the results will be favorable for us,” he stated. 

The former Maritzburg United defender also acknowledged the significance of the Soweto Derby, calling it a “big game in South Africa” that the players are eagerly anticipating.

“We want to fix the mistakes we made in the previous games,” Shandu added. “So, we are looking forward to it, and we want to win, that’s all in our minds.” 

Reflecting on the loss to Sekhukhune, Shandu noted that the team didn’t make many mistakes but failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. 

“There weren’t many mistakes we made against Sekhukhune, it’s just that the goals we created we were unfortunate not to score,” he said.

However, Shandu is confident that Pirates can make a strong showing in the derby. 

“But all in all, in the derby we want to capitalize on all our chances,” he stated. 

With a winning mindset and a focus on teamwork, Pirates are gearing up for an intense battle against their arch-rivals Chiefs.

As the two teams prepare to clash on Saturday, the stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable. 

With their sights set on victory, Pirates will need to bring their A-game to overcome the Amakhosi and make a statement in the Soweto Derby. 

Shandu’s comments suggest that the team is ready to put aside recent setbacks and focus on the task at hand – securing a win against their biggest rivals.