BUCS TARGET
Sandilands wants silverware for Pirates
Wayne Sandilands knows his team’s season finish not good enough
Veteran Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands admits that their third place finish this past season was not good enough for the side, but he is hopeful they can build on that for the quick switch-around into the new campaign.
Pirates started poorly and had a number of hiccups along the way, but still managed to claim a place in the 2020/2021 Caf Confederation Cup, though their run without silverware continues and now stretches beyond six years, with their previous success coming at the 2014 Nedbank Cup.
“You measure success in terms of silverware, this is something we need to reflect on as a team. But at the same time if you consider where we come from and, in particular, how we started the league, third is understandable and we will take it. But in the greater scheme of things third is not good enough for Orlando Pirates, silverware is,” Sandilands said on his club’s website.
The 27-year-old kept an impressive 12 clean sheets this season, the second best in the top-flight after SuperSport United’s Ronwen Williams who finished with 13.
“Overall, I am happy to have contributed to the team in some way this season. When you are playing regularly usually it means you are doing something right and I can only focus on working even harder next season.
“I am the type of person who always looks to improve and try to see what we can do better as a team. I guess it’s my attitude of never being satisfied.
“People close to me can attest to this. I am always looking to push the boundaries, I guess this is what has kept me going all these years,” he said.
“Defending is a team effort. The success goes to the guys in front of me. Remember, defending starts higher up the field. Everybody is involved in making sure that we keep a clean sheet.” —