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Bucs’ Shandu awaits first continental appearance with bated breath
'It's a great experience to travel to different countries as well, said the versatile player.
Bandile Shandu of Orlando Pirates excitedly awaits his first Caf Confederations Cup appearance as the Buccaneers take on Diables Noirs in Congo on Friday.
With Orlando Pirates in the Congolese capital of Brazzaville to kickoff their Caf Confederations Cup assignments, Bandile Shandu will be one of the players who will compete in the continental competition for the first time.
The Buccaneers take on Diables Noirs in the first leg of the second round at Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat on Friday afternoon.
And Shandu, who signed with Bucs prior to the start of the current season from Maritzburg United, is looking forward to the tie and wants the club to win the tournament.
“It is a great experience for me, it’s my first time playing Caf. And I think it’s a great experience as well traveling wise, going through different countries as well, it is very a great experience and I’m looking forward to playing in the game tomorrow (Friday). Hopefully we will get to the final and win it,” said the versatile player, who can play as a right-back or right-winger.
“We know little about the club we are going to play. But I think that gives us an advantage because we will only get to focus on ourselves. But we have seen some of their clips. You cannot take them lightly.”
With a lot of travelling that happens when playing continental football, Shandu is enjoying the experience, but he is not happy with the facilities.
“The experience is different, the facilities as well are very different. We are privileged in South Africa. You also get to see a different picture of how the world is, how Africa is and it is a great experience.”
Since joining the Soweto giants, the 26-year old has played seven games, six in the league and one game in the MTN8 , and one assist to his name.
