Sandilands: We must put this loss behind us

Having tasted defeat for the first time as an Orlando Pirates goalkeeper last weekend, Wayne Sandilands (left) believes the loss served as a healthy reminder to the team that there is a long way to go, despite their promising start.

The Buccaneers lost 1-0 to Bidvest Wits at the Bidvest Stadium, and will now play Polokwane City at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium tomorrow. Sandilands added that even though the Buccaneers were saddened by the loss, they need to focus on the future.

“It is a wake-up call, there will be challenges this season because there is still a long way to go. We were deeply hurt after that loss, so it is something we know. We are under no illusions that this is not going to be a season with only ups, there will be bumps here and there,” said Sandilands earlier this week.

“We are regrouping, knowing that this coming game against Polokwane City is going to be huge for us. It is for us to get back where we want to be before the Fifa break.”

Pirates started in a similar fashion last season, getting positive results earlier in the campaign but ended up finishing outside the top eight in the Absa Premiership table. With that in mind, Sandilands adds that they don’t want to get carried away.

“We are obviously grateful for it, but we know that it is exactly what it is, a star,” he said.

“I have said it before, Pirates had a similar start last season when they were on top of the table and we know how that season turned out. So, we are under no illusions because it is just a start, we don’t want it to be a highlight reel in the season. We want to push on from here and we know there is a lot of work and improvement that still needs to be done,”

Bucs are third with 11 points, while City have endured a rough start which sees them second from bottom with just four points.