Bandile Shandu puts personal ambition aside as Orlando Pirates chase silverware

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.

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 backup 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.

But regardless, Shandu seems to have accepted his fate. He has put the team ahead of his personal ambitions. Asked recently about his personal targets for the remainder of the season, he, instead, lauded regulars for ensuring that they’ve had a good start to the season under Ouaddou.

“Personally, the team comes first,” Shandu stated. “I am happy with how the team is performing as a unit. We are doing well. It’s been a great couple of games that we’ve played, so that’s fulfilling for me.”

It's not only for Shandu. The Ghost have rallied behind the team with every passing game, making Orlando Stadium a fortress.

To show their dominance in the stands, the supporters always bring a big banner, written “The Centreline Supporters,” which hangs on the far end of the stadium, opposite the halfway mark of the pitch.

But while it’s been appealing to have that backing with every passing game, especially at home, Shandu said they are not getting carried away, as they know that there are targets still to be achieved.

“The support that we have been getting from the coaches, the management and fans has been massive, but it’s also keeping us grounded as well,” Shandu said. “We know our targets, and what we also want to achieve.

“It’s nice to receive the love that we’ve been getting. Seeing everyone - especially the supporters - happy makes us happy as well. We’ve got the technical team, and the management backing us as players to be grounded. So that we can know what we are fighting for.”

The domestic season will only conclude in May, and one of the targets that Pirates are chasing this season is the title, having last been crowned the champions of the land in 2012.

But Pirates can’t think far ahead. The league is a marathon, and that’s why they need to take games as they come, including the Carling Knockout final against Marumo Gallants at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on December 6.

Winning the Carling Knockout would add a feather in Ouaddou’s cap as he’d have already outdone his predecessor, Jose Riveiro, by winning the only domestic trophy he missed out on during the three-year reign at the club.

So, that would surely please the team, the management, supporters and Shandu, who certainly seemed to accept that his fate is supporting those who are playing ahead of him, instead of chasing personal targets.