Sandilands plea: Let’s not get carried away

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands (right) has called on his team to keep their feet firmly on the ground, following a solid start to the season that sees the Buccaneers among the early pacesetters in the Absa Premiership title race.

Pirates travel to Bidvest Wits today with the away side surprising favourites to win, given that they finished last season outside the top eight for the first time in the Premier Soccer League era. Milutin Sredojevic has worked early wonders in his second spell in charge, with 11 points from five games an impressive haul.

Wits, of course, are the defending champions, but have had a shambolic start to the new campaign, winning none of their opening five league games. The Clever Boys went into this weekend’s games in 15th place in the Premiership.

“It is just the start for us,” insisted Sandilands yesterday, when asked about Pirates’ brilliant start to the season.

“For us it is about being grounded and humble and wanting to improve. We must continue working hard. We still have a long way to go, so we need to keep pushing.”

Sandilands was brought in by Pirates this season and has been in fine form, a key part of a Pirates defensive unit that has conceded just one goal thus far. This is in stark contrast to a Pirates defence that leaked 40 goals in 30 league games last season.

Sandilands believes that Wits’ early troubles this season could make them even more difficult opponents for Pirates today.

“We know it is going to be a battle, they are a quality team with quality players,” said Sandilands.

He, meanwhile, is enjoying playing regularly again after his final four seasons at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he made just a smattering of league appearances. His form has been enough to earn him a call-up to the last two Bafana Bafana squads, and he even played against Cape Verde in Durban, although it ended in a disappointing 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying defeat.

“I am tremendously proud to have been called up again,” said Sandilands, who is back in the squad for next month’s qualifier against Burkina Faso.

“Every player works to be able to play for the national team.”