Pirates' Shandu puts his team first

BANDILE Shandu is a team player at Orlando Pirates - that he's fallen down in the pecking order and his Buccaneers' future looks bleak with every passing month doesn't appear to be relevant.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

Shandu has made only four appearances at Pirates so far this season. And that highlights the minimal contribution he has made in the team's strides, which include winning the MTN8, reaching the Carling Knockout final and being second on the Betway Premiership standings, three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who've played two games more.

His lack of game time has seen Thabiso Lebitso own the right-back position so far, while his back-up, Deano van Rooyen, has recently recovered from a lengthy injury.

And that's not all. It appears that coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has lost his faith in Shandu, as he's converted Kamogelo Sebelele to the right-back position whenever Lebitso and van Rooyen are not available for selection due to injuries or suspension.