Orlando Pirates respect Kaizer Chiefs but ‘we know how good we are’ – Shandu

Photo Credit – Orlando Pirates Football Club.

Orlando Pirates defender Bandile Shandu has remained positive ahead into their Betway Premiership Soweto derby against rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.

The Buccaneers will head into the vital fixture at the back of two devastating defeats. First, Pirates got knocked out of the CAF Champions League after losing 3-2 against Pyramids of Egypt in the semi-final stage of the inter-club competition.

Pirates had secured a 0-0 draw from the first leg at FNB Stadium but went ahead to suffer a 3-2 defeat and exit the stage on a 3-2 aggregate scoreline. On returning to league action, Pirates’ hopes of catching up with runway league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a blow after losing 1-0 against Sekhukhune United at Orlando Pirates Stadium.

The defeat coupled with Sundowns 3-0 victory against Richards Bay left Pirates 12 points behind the Brazilians but according to Shandu, they must show quick response by beating Amakhosi in the derby on Saturday.

“It’s going to be tough. We respect our opponents but we also know how good we are as well and if we do the right things according to the game plan we will get the results,” Shandu told the media at a press conference as quoted by Sowetan.

“The derby itself is an occasion where not much motivation is needed. The occasion motivates you, as Orlando Pirates, we want to bounce back from previous results. We’ve been working very hard to rectify our mistakes from the previous games.

“We are working hard to get better as individuals, as a team as well, and I think if we do what the coach wants the results will take care of themselves.”

On whether Pirates have a chance to catch up with Sundowns, he replied: “We need to work hard like we have been, working for one another, derbies are those games where you need to fight as a team, we showed that before and we just need to carry on with that.”

This will be the 58th derby league meeting between the teams since 1996/97. In the clubs’ previous 57 league clashes since the start of the PSL era, Chiefs have won 18, while Pirates have managed 15, and 24 have ended all square.