Sipho Chaine

Sipho Chaine
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-12-14) 14 December 1996 (age 27)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Orlando Pirates
Number 24
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2021 Bloemfontein Celtic 22 (0)
2021–2022 Royal AM 1 (0)
2022 Chippa United 2 (0)
2022– Orlando Pirates 34 (0)
International career
2024– South Africa 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 July 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 September 2024

Sipho Chaine (born 14 December 1996) is a South African soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Orlando Pirates in the South African Premier Division and the South Africa national team.

Club career

[edit]

Chaine played for Bloemfontein Celtic, among others in the Diski Challenge Shield, and was drafted into the senior team.[1] He made his first-tier debut in May 2019.[2] When Bloemfontein Celtic was relocated and renamed Royal AM, Chaine continued in that team, but barely saw any playing time.[1]

In the summer of 2022, Chaine signed for Chippa United. After only two appearances for Chippa United, Chaine was signed in September 2022, on the last day of the transfer window, by major club Orlando Pirates.[3]

He started as a third choice behind Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane, but after the 2022 World Cup break, Chaine was finally able to start his first match for Orlando Pirates. He remained the first choice throughout the season, including the Pirates' victory in the 2022–23 Nedbank Cup.[4] At the same time, some claimed that Chaine kept too few clean sheets.[5]

In the 2023–24 season, Chaine was again used as the first-choice goalkeeper and helped the team win the 2023 MTN 8 in October 2023.[6] At the same time, he was injured in the MTN 8 final, and was kept out of playing until February 2024.[7][8] Returning from injury, Chaine helped win the 2023–24 Nedbank Cup. At a crucial moment in the cup final, Chaine saved a penalty from Lucas Ribeiro Costa in the early minutes of the game.[9]

In May 2024, a video was released in which Chaine said he would bet on an English soccer match; soccer betting is prohibited for any soccer player. Chaine and Orlando Pirates stated that the video was made in jest.[10]

International career

[edit]

Chaine made his debut for the South Africa national team on 10 September 2024 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan at the Juba Stadium.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Baleka, Mihlali (15 March 2023). "Sipho Chaine credits support and mentality for settling in quickly at Orlando Pirates". IOL. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  2. ^ Sipho Chaine at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Confirmed: Pirates Complete 2nd Deadline Day Signing". iDiski Times. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  4. ^ Madlala, Robin-Duke (4 June 2023). "Chaine Pinching Himself At Pirates' Trophy Success". iDiski Times. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  5. ^ Ditlhobolo, Austin (4 May 2023). "Orlando Pirates goalkeeping issue: Should Ofori start ahead of Chaine in Soweto Derby with only five clean sheets in 17 matches?". Goal. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  6. ^ Ngidi, Njabulo (7 October 2023). "Orlando Pirates retain MTN8 crown through Sipho Chaine's gifted hands". News 24. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Chaine back from injury for Buccaneers". Super Sport. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  8. ^ Madyira, Michael (16 February 2024). "Sipho Chaine: Orlando Pirates provide latest injury update on goalkeeper ahead of crunch Mamelodi Sundowns tie". 16 February 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Pirates Complete Cup Double Win Over Sundowns With Nedbank Cup Title". iDiski Times. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  10. ^ Ndebele, Sihle (15 May 2024). "Bucs' Chaine in hot water after viral 'betting' video". The Sowetan. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  11. ^ "South Sudan v South Africa game report". Soccerway. 10 September 2024.