Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine attributes his career success to perseverance, reflecting on his unconventional journey to prominence at the Soweto giants.

Unlike many players who hone their skills at smaller clubs early in their careers, Chaine’s path was different. He did not play a single match for Bloemfontein Celtic before their status was sold to Royal AM ahead of the 2021/22 season.

At Royal AM, Chaine made 31 appearances, with two additional games for Chippa United after the start of the 2022/23 season. Despite this limited experience, Pirates quickly signed him, and Chaine seamlessly integrated into the team. He was instrumental in Pirates’ Nedbank Cup triumph that season, securing victory against Sekhukhune United.

This success continued into the 2023/24 season, where he played a crucial role in their second consecutive Nedbank Cup win and made impressive saves during the penalty shootout against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final. He also played a key role in Pirates’ recent MTN8 victory. Chaine has now amassed 70 appearances for Pirates, keeping 29 clean sheets.

“I think for myself, it has been a good experience,” said Chaine when he was asked by Sportswire after captaining the All-Stars team that beat Magesi 3-0 in the Carling Cup at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. 

“Like any other football, it hasn’t been any easy journey. I can say it was tough, like any football players. 

“It is just how you persevere, how you work on yourself and how are you trying to get yourself better. I think, at the end of the day, as football players, it’s just a quality (we have to deliver every game) and what type of a player you are, just work hard and try to improve each aspect of your game. 

“And that was it for myself. Coming from Celtic, like you said, Chippa. It wasn’t easy, but I tried to work and to make myself better.”

Chaine made his Bafana Bafana debut two months ago against South Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, filling in for injured national team captain Ronwen Williams. With Bafana Bafana having qualified for the 2025 AFCON finals, Chaine is likely to be considered for the national team squad next year.

However, to maintain his place, Chaine will need to consistently perform well for Pirates this season and next, as his contract expires at the end of June 2025. The AFCON finals will be held from December 2025 to January 2026, coinciding with the mid-season of the 2025/26 season.