sportskeeda
Sipho Chaine, the goalkeeper for Orlando Pirates, attributes his career success to his unwavering determination, offering a glimpse into his remarkable journey with the Soweto giants.
Unlike many players who hone their skills at smaller clubs during their early career, Chaine’s path was unique. He missed the chance to showcase his talents with Bloemfontein Celtic before their club status transitioned to Royal AM before the 2021/22 season.
At Royal AM, Chaine participated in 31 matches, followed by two appearances for Chippa United at the start of the 2022/23 season. Despite limited game time, Pirates quickly signed him, and Chaine seamlessly became part of the team. His contributions were crucial in helping Pirates clinch the Nedbank Cup that season, overcoming Sekhukhune United in the final.
This achievement continued into the 2023/24 season, where he significantly influenced the team’s second consecutive Nedbank Cup win, delivering essential saves during the penalty shootout in the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns. He played a key role in Pirates’ latest MTN8 triumph as well. Chaine has now accumulated 70 appearances for Pirates, achieving 29 clean sheets.
“It has been a tremendous experience for me,” Chaine stated in an interview with Sportswire after leading the All-Stars team to a 3-0 victory over Magesi in the Carling Cup at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
“Like every athlete, my journey hasn’t been without its challenges. I can relate to the struggles faced by many football players.
“It comes down to your ability to endure, your dedication to self-betterment, and your commitment to enhancing your skills. For us footballers, it’s all about the caliber we bring to each match and the type of player we aspire to be—investing effort and aiming to elevate every aspect of our game.
“That has definitely been my experience. The transition from Celtic to Chippa was not an easy one, but I made a deliberate effort to better myself.”
Two months ago, Chaine made his debut for Bafana Bafana against South Sudan during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, stepping in for the injured national team captain Ronwen Williams. With Bafana Bafana qualifying for the 2025 AFCON finals, he is likely to be considered for the national squad next year.
To secure his place, however, Chaine must sustain strong performances for Pirates this season and the next, as his contract is due to expire in June 2025. The AFCON finals are slated to take place from December 2025 to January 2026, coinciding with the mid-season of the 2025/26 season.
