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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands admits it will be challenging to keep his emotions at bay when he meets his former side Sundowns on Wednesday.
The Bafana Bafana shot stopper was not always able to hold down a regular starting berth at Mamelodi Sundowns, but since moving to Pirates this season, he has been outstanding in goal for the Buccaneers, helping his new side occupy third position on the league standings.
After beating Golden Arrows in the Telkom Knockout last 16 on the weekend, the Sea Robbers will be looking to keep the winning momentum going when they host a Brazilians side which has lost their last three matches, in Orlando on Wednesday night (7:30pm).
The game will see Sandilands facing his former employers for the first time since departing the Tshwane club.
The experienced 34-year says he has been steeling himself for the reunion and is determined to keep his focus on the job at hand.
"I think the reality is there will always be emotions but the fact is you have got to manage them and you cannot allow them to hinder you from getting the job done‚" he was quoted saying by TimesLive.
"So for me the focus is purely not on the past‚ not on the future but on the present on this game.
"There are emotions‚ there is a lot of baggage that can come with this game but it is important for you if you want to be able to go and perform to your optimum to block that out and be present and focus on the processes and get the job done.
"I think that my performances over the years have spoken for themselves and there's nothing really to prove.
"I know what quality I have and I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be at this club (Pirates)," he added.
The Bucs shot-stopper is expecting a tough match, but is optimistic Pirates can emerge victorious.
"I believe the quality that we have‚ if we stick to our process‚ if we stick to our game plan‚ we will be able to get a positive result on Wednesday," Sandilands explained.
"We are under no illusion that it is going to be a walk in the park but we know that we are capable of getting a positive result and that's the focus."
