Shandu: Pirates up for the fight

ORLANDO Pirates right back Bandile Shandu stood on business when he previewed tomorrow’s Soweto derby clash against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs (3pm kick-off).

- MIHLALI BALEKA.

Deep in the bowels of The Venue in Melrose Arch on Thursday after-noon, Shandu evaded all personal questions as he answered about the derby. The media hounds didn’t only try to squeeze answers out of him on how he feels about being back on the field after a lengthy injury, but about the team’s recent losses as well.

Pirates crashed out of the CAF Champions League semi-final after losing 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids, with all the goals coming in the second leg in Cairo last Friday. And as if things couldn’t get worse, they lost 1-0 in the follow-up clash in the Premiership to Sekhukhune United at home on Wednesday night.

That loss to Babina Noko put their title challenge into serious jeopardy as they now trail log leaders and champions Mamelodi Sundowns by 12 points. With two games in hand, the Buccaneers could trim the gap to six points if they win those matches, but they’d have to bank on the Brazilians to drop at least seven points.

Pirates can start doing their bit by beating their sworn nemesis in the sold-out Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday to keep the pressure on Sundowns.