Stellenbosch will come out guns blazing, says Orlando Pirates' Shandu

Orlando Pirates defender Bandile Shandu expects Stellenbosch FC to provide a stern test when the two sides meet in the MTN8 final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday (6pm kick-off).

The Buccaneers are chasing history as they aim to become the first team to lift the MTN8 trophy four years in a row, having already secured the title in each of the last three seasons.

Coming off the international break, Pirates will look to extend their momentum after putting together a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions. That form followed a shaky start to the campaign in which they suffered back-to-back defeats in the league.

Shandu is encouraged by the team’s readiness ahead of the high-stakes clash.

“So far so good, we are working hard as a group and preparations are going well,” Shandu said.

“As a group we want it. Training has been going very well and you can see in the way that we are training that everyone wants it.”

The two sides are familiar opponents, having already faced off earlier this season in the league. Pirates edged the Cape Winelands side 1-0 at Orlando Stadium in that encounter. 

Saturday’s clash will be the second successive MTN8 final between the two sides, after the Bucaneers defeated Stellies in last year’s decider.

Still, Shandu insists that past results will count for little when the whistle blows.

“A final is a different occasion, the fact that we have played them in the league does not mean it will be the same,” he explained.

“A final has got its own atmosphere, vibe and feeling. They also want to win it and they will come out guns blazing because a final is different from the league,” he concluded.