Orlando Pirates defender Bandile Shandu is unfazed by the stiff competition for a starting place at right-back.
Pirates have an embarrassment of riches at right-back with four players angling for a starting place with Shandu, new signing Deano van Rooyen, Thabiso Monyane and Thabiso Lebitso all hoping to be selected by coach Jose Riveiro.
Shandu and Lebitso were hampered by injuries last season, leaving Monyane to play for most of the campaign, but the club put a spanner in the works when they signed Van Rooyen from Stellenbosch before the start of this season.
That has seen the new signing given more opportunities, with Monyane also being called upon, but having recovered from his injury, Shandu now hopes to win back his place, and believes the competition is a normal thing at a big club like Pirates.
How is Shandu coping with stiff competition?
“It’s healthy competition [to have quality players]; if you are for playing for a big club [like Pirates], you are always going to have quality players that are coming in,” Shandu told FARPost.
“I think it’s part and parcel of being a professional player. It’s big for the club as well. I can’t wait to compete there.”
Pirates host Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout on Saturday and with coach Jose Riveiro likely to make changes to the squad, Shandu will hope to be involved at some point.