Pirates taking it step by step

The main focus on this weekend’s Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium will not only be about bragging rights between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, but will make the Absa Premiership title race much more interesting with both sides among the top three contenders for the title.

Amakhosi, however, are on top of the League standings with 45 points from 20 games, while the Buccaneers are in third spot having managed to accumulate 39 points after 21 matches.

With only six points separating the two sides, many seem to think that this fixture might be a strong indication as to which team will go on to lift the trophy in May.

Second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns are also in the mix with 41 points, having played the same number of games as Chiefs.

But Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands (below) has downplayed the talk that the Buccaneers are title contenders and says the League is far from over.

“Everybody still has to play each other at the top (of the log). We have a very important four games ahead of us now. We just have to do what we have to do, it’s the biggest cliché in professional sport, but you just have to focus on the next step and stop thinking too much ahead because you end up losing focus,” said Sandilands yesterday.

The goalkeeper also touched on the disappointing first half of the season. “The season overall has been a bit inconsistent as a team. We had high expectations after ending well last season and wanted to pick it up from there.

“With the changing of coaches it’s never easy to always adapt and get the results that we want,” added the shot-stopper.

“But as it turned out now, we have managed to regain our form.”