Orlando Pirates are seriously considering the future of two of their most important players! | OneFootball

The pirates decide to make a final decision.

Orlando Pirates are seriously considering the future of two of their most important players!

At Orlando Pirates, the winds of change are swirling around the defensive line, placing the futures of two players, Olisa Ndah and Bandile Shandu, under a microscope. Both have been conspicuous by their absence from the pitch this season, but for starkly different reasons, setting the stage for a compelling narrative of comeback and competition in the months ahead.

For Nigerian defender Olisa Ndah, a long and frustrating period on the sidelines, caused by a severe injury sustained early last season, appears to be finally over. He has now returned to full fitness, training alongside his teammates as a potential solution emerges for his reintegration. The anticipated departure of Mbekezeli Mbokazi to MLS side Chicago Fire in a multi-million rand deal has suddenly opened a strategic void in the centre of defence—a void that Ndah, a highly-rated talent, is perfectly positioned to fill.

His path back to the starting line-up, however, contrasts sharply with the situation of his teammate, Bandile Shandu. For Shandu, the challenge has not been injury, but intense internal competition. The rise of Thabiso Lebitso and Deano Van Rooyen, who have effectively shared the right-back duties this campaign, has limited his opportunities to a mere four early-season appearances before he lost his place altogether.

This converging pressure point for both defenders is sharpened by the ticking clock. With their current contracts set to expire in June 2026, the coming months represent a critical audition. The Buccaneers' hierarchy has yet to initiate talks over renewals, making every training session and potential minute on the pitch a vital component of their case for an extended stay.

As Pirates push for the elusive league title and domestic silverware, the season's remainder transforms into a personal mission for Ndah and Shandu. It is their chance to prove they are not merely surplus to requirements, but vital pieces in the club's pursuit of glory.