ORLANDO Pirates have turned over a new leaf under coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic this season.
Bucs are unbeaten in four Absa Premiership matches so far, which could be regarded as a huge improvement from last season, where they struggled.
Bucs goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands is one of the key reasons why they are joint top of the table with eight points along with Golden Arrows, Maritzburg United and Baroka FC.
The team needed some stability and Sandilands has brought it in-between the goal posts, steadying a shaky defence that conceded 40 goals last season.
The Bafana Bafana keeper, who won a Caf Champions League medal with Mamelodi Sundowns last year before moving to Pirates at the start of the season, has let in only one goal so far.
But Sandilands expects to be tested when Bucs host Cape Town City FC in a league showdown at Orlando Stadium tonight (7.30pm). He said: “I expect City to come out firing against us.”
Sandilands said playing for Pirates was a massive honour: “This is dream move for me. I aim to do my best and help Pirates get back on top.”
He said he was enjoying playing under former Ugandan national coach Micho.
“This is a clean slate for us. A new season is like a breath of fresh air,” he said.
But Sandilands said they were taking it one game at a time: “We are focused on City. We have to be clinical and pick up three points.”
City have done well so far under rookie coach Benni McCarthy but had a setback when they suffered their first defeat of the season in their 2-0 home loss to Kaizer Chiefs last week. They will be out to prove a point.