Renowned agent Mike Makaab has confirmed that Orlando Pirates intend to retain defender Bandile Shandu.
The 29-year-old has been plagued by injuries, limiting his on-field contributions for The Buccaneers.
Shandu has yet to feature in the current 2024/25 Betway Premiership season, having recently returned from another injury setback.
In his absence, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has relied on Thabiso Monyane and Deano Van Rooyen to fill the right-back position.
Shandu joined Pirates from Maritzburg United (now Durban City FC) in 2021.
Since then, the versatile defender, who can also operate as a midfielder, has made 87 appearances and scored nine goals for the Soweto giants.
Recent media reports have suggested that Bandile Shandu could be leaving Orlando Pirates, either on loan or permanently, due to his recent injury struggles.
However, his agent, Mike Makaab, has dismissed these rumors, stating that Shandu remains an integral part of the club's plans. The defender is contracted to Pirates until June 30, 2026.
WHAT MIKE MAKAAB SAID ABOUT BANDILE SHANDU
“Well I can tell you that it has not been discussed with me that Bandile Shandu is not the plans at Pirates going forward,” Makaab told FARPost.
“In fact when I had a meeting with Pirates over a week ago, they told me that Shandu is part of the plans going forward. He was just troubled by injuries, but now he’s back in full training.”
