Orlando Pirates News Today: Defender set for exit, how ‘Tito mistake’ cost Bucs & more

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Defender set for exit, how ‘Tito mistake’ cost Bucs & more
Photo - AF ZA

Here is the latest news making headlines around Orlando Pirates, in the last 24 hours, including Bandile Shandu’s expected exit, the technical team’s mistake in the draw with Kaizer Chiefs, and more.

Shandu set for Pirates’ exit

Prosport International football agent Mike Makaab has issued a major update on Bandile Shandu’s future at Orlando Pirates.

The experienced defender has been frozen out of the matchday squad at Pirates under the leadership of head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Shandu has faced stiff competition from players such as Kamogelo Sebelebele, Deano Van Rooyen, and Thabiso Lebitso in the right back position.

Bandile Shandu of Orlando Pirates
Bandile Shandu of Orlando Pirates

“Bandile Shandu, as you know, his contract is coming to an end at the end of the season, and he hasn’t been playing,” Makaab told FARPost.

“So, I can tell you that Shandu is unlikely to stay with Pirates when his contract comes to an end, and we are looking for other opportunities.”

The ‘Tito mistake’ that cost Bucs

Orlando Pirates legend Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi has suggested a “mistake” that could have cost the club crucial two points in the Soweto derby draw against Kaizer Chiefs.

“Here’s the tricky part, where I believe that’s where Pirates lost it not to win the game, because Pirates play with speed, they had (Oswin) Appollis, Moremi, (Yanela) Mbuthuma, with the surprise of (Kamogelo) Sebelebele and (Deon) Hotto, very good with speed,” Vilakazi said on omniaudioafrica YouTube Channel.

“When Moremi got injured, that’s where the technical team missed their game plan. Personally, I was gonna put (Deano) Van Rooyen as a right-back and then push Sebelebele more forward, we play with speed, that’s how we are as Pirates.

“So the technical team of Pirates made a mistake when they put ‘Tito’ (Patrick Maswanganyi) in. Look at the damage that happened when Tito came in, it compromised Mofokeng, we had to take Mofokeng wide, we had to reduce going with speed now, because we need to take Tito in and he must do the things.

Sibongiseni Mthethwa of Kaizer Chiefs takes the ball away from Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby.
Sibongiseni Mthethwa of Kaizer Chiefs takes the ball away from Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby. Image – Kaizer Chiefs

“I love Tito, a very good player, very intelligent but sometimes the game will ask questions, at this moment what do we need? For me to put Tito in, not at that time,” the Bucs legend concluded.

Pirates legend adamant ‘only politics, can keep Petersen out of WC

Former Orlando Pirates captain Benson Mhlongo supports Kaizer Chiefs’ goalkeeper Brandon Petersen to be one of the three goalkeepers in the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“So for me my man of the match in the Derby was Brandon Petersen,” Mhlongo tells KickOff.

“For Kaizer Chiefs to be brave enough to field him in such a match coming from injury. To entrust him to be the one in goal in the Derby after being on the sidelines for such a long time demonstrates he is their number one goalkeeper, and that they believe in him.

“So for me, he is the one who got Kaizer Chiefs a draw in Sunday’s game. Including him in the World Cup squad could be a big plus for us. In past World Cups, teams like Brazil have carried injured players, and they often recover after their first two group stage matches before fielding them again. That’s football.

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen during the Soweto Derby.
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen during the Soweto Derby. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“But here in our country, due to politics, we tend to debate about it. We prefer selecting players based on popularity rather than quality. That’s our downfall; we overlook talent and focus on popularity.

“Only politics can keep Brandon Petersen out of the World Cup. I hope Hugo Broos and his technical team will consider this logically,” he concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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