‘Critics Questioned It’: Mhlongo Insists Chaine Is Now The Undisputed No. 1
Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo has firmly backed Sipho Chaine to retain his PSL Goalkeeper of the Season accolade, insisting the shot-stopper remains the only deserving candidate after a record-breaking domestic campaign.
Chaine, the reigning recipient of the award, faces stiff competition on the nomination list alongside Kaizer Chiefs’ Brandon Peterson and SuperSport United’s Ricardo Goss.
The newly minted Bafana Bafana international enjoyed a historic season between the posts, recording an astonishing 21 clean sheets in 30 league matches to set a new single-season Premier Soccer League record.
In doing so, the Buccaneers’ number one eclipsed the previous milestone of 18 clean sheets, originally established by Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams.
By comparison, Peterson also enjoyed a stellar campaign with 15 clean sheets in 24 appearances, while Goss registered 14 shutouts in 29 outings.
Despite those formidable numbers, Mhlongo maintains that Chaine is the undisputed standout.
“Sipho Chaine has done tremendously well for the club,” Mhlongo said.
“He surpassed Moeneeb Josephs’ record of clean sheets at Orlando Pirates and won the treble as well. He has consistently performed at the highest level and earned his reward by traveling with Bafana Bafana to the FIFA World Cup. It goes without saying. When he won Goalkeeper of the Season in 2024/25, critics questioned it because Sundowns won the league, bringing up Ronwen Williams. I think Sipho doubled down and did himself a massive favor by performing the way he did this year.”
Mhlongo, who made 68 appearances for the Sea Robbers during his playing days, acknowledged that his partisan background might draw skepticism from rival fans.
“I don’t know why I even have to explain this, because sometimes it’s received negatively due to my history,” Mhlongo admitted. “But if you look strictly at the numbers, the performances, and the achievements both as an individual and as a team, Sipho Chaine is the Goalkeeper of the Season. That is my objective opinion.”
The official Premier Soccer League awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 27 July.
