Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has urged his teammates to shift their focus from the prospect of creating history, with the defending champions on the cusp of winning three successive MTN8 titles.

The Buccaneers are set to battle against Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida stadium on Saturday, to become the first club in South African football history to lift the trophy three consecutive times. 

Since Jose Riveiro’s appointment in June 2022, Pirates have won four domestic trophies, with the two MTN8 triumphs coming against AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively, while their opponents won their first top-flight trophy last season. 

However, Steve Barker’s charges have established themselves as a tough team to break down, having defeated Sundowns in both legs of the semi-finals en route to the final, and the Bucs shot-stopper says he expects Stellies to give them a run for their money. 

“We’re expecting a very tough match from them, ” Chaine said. 

“We know they’re a perfect side and we know the threat they pose to every team they play against, so we’ll do our best to prepare and do the best that we know we can.” 

With the Soweto Giants having won the previous two editions at the same venue, Chaine has called on his counterparts to focus on the task ahead and not on the occasion of a possible historic victory by dwelling on the success of the previous two seasons. 

“The best thing I can do for myself and the best thing we can do as Orlando Pirates is to focus on the game this weekend and not dwell on the success that we’ve had in the past and that’s the most important thing for me personally, ” he stated. 

“I think the most important thing for us is to play the match and not focus much on the occasion, but it’ll always ring in your mind, the expectations and the type of game that you are playing. 

“We must focus on the game and what we are trying to execute like we’ve been doing since the start of the season – to push ourselves to win games, to get better as a team and I think that’s the most important thing we should focus on this weekend.” 

Chaine, who was a hero after saving three penalties against Sundowns in a shootout of last season’s final, says his heroics have shaped him into the player he is today as he drew inspiration from his display going further into the 2023/24 campaign. 

“It’s a confidence booster to be able to help the team, ” said the 27-year-old goal-minder. 

“I know everyone helped the team in his way, and I think it helped me going forward into the season and into the player that I’ve become today. 

“It really helps a lot to have your confidence high and have good performances for a club like Orlando Pirates, ” added Chaine, who made his Bafana debut last month.