Pirates Set To Part Ways With Treble-Winning Defender

Sportswire has learned that Orlando Pirates will not renew Bandile Shandu’s contract when it expires at the end of June, following a difficult and frustrating season for the experienced defender at the club.

According to information gathered by Sportswire, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is satisfied with the right-back options already at his disposal, particularly Kamogelo Sebelebele and Deano van Rooyen, and is not keen on retaining the 31-year-old for next season.

Another right back whose future at the club remains uncertain is Thabiso Lebitso, as Ouaddou reportedly wants to work with only Sebelebele and Van Rooyen in that position during the upcoming campaign.

Shandu joined Pirates ahead of the 2021/22 season after Durban City, formerly known as Maritzburg United, parted ways with him.

However, the past season proved to be a difficult one for the versatile defender under Ouaddou, as he featured in only four matches across all competitions.

Of those appearances, he completed the full 90 minutes on only two occasions and last played for the Buccaneers in August.

Since then, Shandu has struggled to break into the matchday squad regularly and only returned to the squad for Pirates’ final game of the season against Orbit College.

Despite his limited game time this season, Shandu leaves the Buccaneers having made a significant contribution during his five-year stay at the club.

During his time at Pirates, he helped the Soweto giants win eight trophies, including four MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cup trophies, one league title, and one Carling Knockout title.

Shandu also goes down in the club’s history as part of the squad that won the famous treble.

In total, the former Durban City player scored 11 goals and registered five assists in 110 appearances for Pirates across all competitions, primarily playing as a right back.