CAPE TOWN – Orlando Pirates have reportedly signed Maritzburg United’s record appearance maker Bandile Shandu.
According to reports, the 26-year-old midfielder, who played a record 162 games for the KwaZulu-Natal club, decided against signing a new contract.
The Citizen’s Phakaaathi quoted an unnamed source, who said: “He is an Orlando Pirates player now. It is a done deal and he should meet his new teammates when Pirates reopen for preseason training early next month.
Thank you and all the best for the future, Bands! 🙏🏻💙#WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/pdjKTZCc8t
— Maritzburg United FC (@MaritzburgUtd) July 3, 2021
“Maritzburg were surprisingly good this time and were not bitter that he didn’t renew his deal as he opted to look elsewhere when his contract ended.
“He is a product of the club and feels he has served them well over the years and now wants to test himself at a bigger club and Orlando Pirates were the first to call him and he was happy to go there.”
Shandu made his senior debut for Maritzburg United while he was still a Grade 11 pupil at Maritzburg College in 2012. Despite never completely nailing down a regular spot in the team, he went on to play 162 games over nine years, breaking a record previously held by Chippa United star Kurt Lentjies.
IOL Sport