Bandile Shandu on overcoming injury challenges and support from Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates’ right-back Bandile Shandu has lauded the support system he’s had after sustaining an injury which kept on the sidelines for the better part of last season.
Shandu sustained an ankle injure last season and only played 16 games across all competitions for the Sea Robbers, who won the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup. Spending time in the medical room rather than on the pitch can be a frustrating and lonely journey for some footballers, as they battle to take the new normal on the chin.
However, speaking on the side-lines of the Carling Knockout draw in Sandton yesterday, Shandu lifted the lid on the strong support structure he’s had.
“This has been my first big injury in my career. It was a first experience for me and it took a huge toll on me,” Shandu reflected.
“I think the Orlando Pirates family from the top to the technical team, the medical team and my teammates helped me a lot in this difficult time. My family helped me a lot, too.
“So, that kept me focusing on the goal of coming back stronger and being a version of myself when I return to full fitness.”
Shandu is currently undergoing rehabilitation and expected to return to full fitness in the next few weeks. But he’s not rushing himself, saying he’s controlling what he can.
“For me, it’s just about working on my mental health and my fitness. But I am going to leave the update for the club,” Shandu explained.
“I just need to try and work on the things which I can control, and that is my mental health, mindset and physical ability. I think things will just fall into place.”
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Shandu’s injury proved to be a costly exercise for Pirates. They had to sign Thabiso Lebitso in January, beefing up the right position which only had Thabiso Monyane at the time.
Lebitso also got injured early in the year. Pirates also decided to go with a safer option during the winter transfer window, signing Deano Van Rooyen from Stellenbosch. The former Stellies’ captain has fitted in like a glove in coach Jose Riveiro’s system, who had started the season with only Monyane at right-back.
Instead of looking at the right-back players as threats which could put his Pirates career in serious jeopardy, Shandu says they support any player who gets the nod.
“It’s just shows the brotherhood that we have – the camaraderie. It just shows how much we support and push one another, not just in a certain position,” Shandu said.
“We also push each other as teammates. You could see by the way we play that we are just one big happy family.”
The Sea Robbers achieved the improbable last weekend, becoming the first team to win the MTN8 for three times in succession. That win continued to endear coach Jose Riveiro to ‘The Ghost’. Shandu has also weighed on the relationship the players have had with the players since his arrival.
“I think he’s an amazing coach like you said. He’s a father figure as well – he’s making you see football from a different perspective,” Shandu said.
Pirates’ only blemish in cup competition in the last two seasons was in the Carling Knockout cup as they lost to Richards Bay in the second round. And now full of confidence and tipped to challenge for all the trophies, they’ll want to make up for lost ground in this season’s ‘beer cup’.
They’ll open their account against new boys Magesi at home, Orlando Stadium, at a date and time the PSL will confirm at a later day.
“I think for a team such as Orlando Pirates, it’s a no-brainer that you want to compete in every trophy that you can and the Carling Knockout cup is no different,” Shandu said.