Orlando Pirates defender Thabiso Monyane has opened up about his relationship with teammate Bandile Shandu. He pinpointed healthy competition as the driving force.
Since the start of the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season, coach Jose Riveiro had been reshuffling the right fullback position with Monyane and Shandu.
Both players are fighting for the spot and seem to perform well when given the chance to play.
MONYANE ON SHANDU
“The relationship between me and Bandile Shandu is very healthy, if he’s playing I’m out there supporting him and he’s also doing the same. I take him as a brother we close,” Monyane told the media.
“He does communicate with me to say, hey you could have done that. I feel like that’s what makes the competition healthy.
“I know that if I start he might come in and I have to wait for my opportunity. If I’m doing well he claps for me and if he’s doing well I clap for him.”
Monyane further revealed the challenge he had to overcome in ensuring that he perform well when given the oppprtunity.
“Last season I didn’t even play a single match. For me, that was a mental challenge to overcome, when you playing for Orlando Pirates you have to be mentally fit.
“Coming to my form it was all about belief, the coach believes in me, I’ve been working hard. I believe that if he believes in me and starts me I have to say thank you by getting those great performances,” Monyane added.
Both Monyane and Shandu are available for selection when Pirates takes on Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby on Saturday at FNB Stadium
