Sipho Chaine in awe of extra special moments at Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana

Sipho Chaine is living the dream. So much so that most of the things he once considered normal blessings or accomplishments have now become extra special.

Born and raised in the country’s City of Roses, Bloemfontein, it took a while—and a few heartbreaks—before Chaine’s flowers blossomed.

Chaine cut his football teeth at hometown club Bloemfontein Celtic, where he starred in the reserves, helping the team win their first-ever MultiChoice Diski Challenge—now known as the DStv Diski Challenge—in 2019.

A move to the senior team followed a season later, and Chaine grabbed the opportunity with both hands. But that didn’t last.

Celtic was sold to Royal AM in 2021, and Chaine endured a frustrating season at the club, making only a single appearance before being shipped out to Chippa United the following campaign.

At Chippa, he didn’t even unpack his clothes. He was sold to Orlando Pirates on deadline day—to be third-choice behind Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane—his third club in the same transfer window.

Thanks to injury and a dip in form from Ofori and Mpontshane early in 2023, Chaine got his chance between the sticks—and never looked back. He pushed Ofori out of the club and Mpontshane into retirement.

Since that fateful debut against Cape Town City on January 7, Chaine has deservedly been Pirates’ No. 1. He was crowned PSL Goalkeeper of the Season last season and is now Bafana Bafana’s No. 2 behind idol and mentor, Ronwen Williams.

But despite the euphoria surrounding the 28-year-old at the moment, it still hasn’t sunk in that he’s living the dream.

As we chat for half an hour in the lobby of the Southern Sun International Hotel in Bloemfontein, Chaine lights up when reflecting on his growth over the last few years—alternating between awe and laughter.

“Eish, I can’t say it has,” chuckled Chaine when asked if he fully grasps all that’s been happening. “Every experience in my life feels like someone could just wake me up.

“I can’t say it happened too quickly, but yes, it has. So to be where I am, and achieve the victories that I have in my career, is only by the grace of God—and I can’t take that for granted.

“To be back in Bloemfontein, and pushing for a FIFA World Cup qualifying spot in my hometown, is extra special.”

It might seem like Chaine is using the phrase “extra special” loosely—but he isn’t. A lot has changed off the pitch as well since he made his professional debut for Celtic in 2019.

He lost his pillar of strength—his mother—in 2024 and has had to become his own man, finding solace in the support of his family, who are also his biggest cheerleaders.

“They are the biggest noise in my life—they are the hype and the ones shouting amazing things. For them, I am the biggest thing. But that’s not the whole aim or emphasis,” Chaine said.

“The way they support and motivate me is truly amazing. I know there are extra people out there praying for me and looking out for me. That’s extra special for me.”

Chaine doesn’t let the hype get to his head. He credits Bafana captain, Africa’s No. 1, and his mentor—Ronwen Williams—for that.

“Yho, the biggest example is right here in camp,” Chaine said. “You look at what you’ve done, the praise you’re getting—and then you watch Africa’s No. 1—and you realise, ‘No, I’m not even close to what he’s achieved.’

“Coming into camp and watching what he’s done can only make you better. It pushes you. When you get small wins—like Goalkeeper of the Season in South Africa—and you think you’ve arrived? No. That’s just one percent of what’s still there to be achieved.”

Chaine and Williams complement each other and feed off each other’s energy—both at club level and for Bafana. Pirates finished second behind Williams’ Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership for a third successive season.

The duo were also neck and neck for the Goalkeeper of the Season award, a race that Chaine won—dethroning Williams.

They’ve brought that healthy competition into the national team, helping Bafana stay on the brink of qualification for the global showpiece, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico next year.

So, while debates rage on in the streets about who’s better, Chaine isn’t concerned—he’s focused on learning everything he can from Williams, who could go down as the greatest Bafana captain ever if he secures a ticket to North America—the first in 23 years.

“Yho, amazing. I will never take that for granted,” added Chaine on working with Williams and Ricardo Goss at Bafana. “When I came into the national team, I made up my mind to learn as much as I can.

“I’ve always said he’s my mentor. So when I watch Ronwen play—given all he’s done for the nation—it’s just extra special. Where he’s taken South African goalkeeping is really amazing. So for me, it’s about learning and working as hard as I can.”

With Williams being crowned Africa’s finest at the last CAF Awards, Chaine has been inspired to dream big. While he’s still based on home soil, he isn’t ruling out a move abroad.

“As locals, we always keep an eye out for a move abroad,” Chaine said. “But that doesn’t mean that, as a local goalkeeper, you can’t achieve great things. We’ve had a great example in Williams recently.

“But for myself, it would be nice—it would be a dream come true—to play in Europe. I can’t hide that. I’m not going to come here and say, ‘No, I don’t want to.’ I’d be lying to myself.

“So, God willing, we’ll get there. And if God doesn’t allow it, then I’ll stay where I am and do my best.”

It’s taken a village to raise Chaine—starting with players’ coach Steve Komphela at the now-defunct Celtic. But Chaine still believes his former Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro, stood out, which is why he feels the team let him down by not winning the league under his three-year reign, despite reaching the CAF Champions League semi-final.

“When I say he’s the best coach I’ve worked with, people will look at the trophies we’ve won at Pirates,” he said. “But he’s different on a personal level. You don’t often get someone who’s so calm and soft-spoken, but has the biggest impact.

“He’s a top coach, and what he’s done for me is extra special. So, he’ll always have a place deep in my heart.

“I think he was here during an era when SA football was at its best. We’ve had one of the best league campaigns in the last three years.

“In terms of competition, we were chasing Sundowns, who were playing their best football—which is why I don’t think anyone will come close to that again. They were just points machines—when you drew or lost, they won.”

He continued: "So, it was unfair for him not to win the league. We worked very hard. It was amazing to work with him.

“I said after he left that the best environment is around teams that win—but dressing rooms are the most important aspect. With Coach Jose, you felt unbeatable in the dressing room.”

Things have changed in the last few months. Riveiro has since been hired and sacked by African giants Al Ahly, while Chaine and company now play under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou at Pirates.

Ouaddou arrived with high expectations, but initially struggled—losing his first two games in the competition Pirates want to dominate this season, the Betway Premiership.

But a lot has changed since that 2-1 loss to Marumo Gallants.

Pirates are now on an upward trajectory. They’ve won their last three games and are into the MTN8 final, where they’ll face Stellenbosch at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday (6 pm).

Pirates will go into the clash as favourites, having won the last three MTN8 crowns—including beating Stellenbosch 3-1 in last season’s final.

Ouaddou is chasing the club’s record-extending fourth MTN8 title—and his first piece of silverware in the famous black-and-white jersey. The 46-year-old can rest assured that his troops will fight tooth and nail.

Chaine has been one of the leaders behind the team’s recent turnaround, especially after backing Ouaddou when the chips were down. That’s why, when the coach kissed him on the forehead after he starred in the penalty shootout win over Sundowns in the semi-final, it meant so much.

“Personally, things didn’t start off well for him, and I told Bhodlela (captain Nkosinathi Sibisi) that I wanted to take it upon myself—and ourselves—to support the coach,” Chaine said. “People were going to talk. Things were going to be said.

“So I just had to guarantee him that things would change. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll work together.’ And here we are—things are working out.”

Chaine knows he can’t do it alone in Mbombela. He and his teammates need to work as a unit—and that shouldn’t be an issue, especially given the positive energy around the squad.

Vice-captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi has drawn the most attention. The 19-year-old has shown incredible maturity, leading from the front at both Pirates and Bafana Bafana.

He captained the team confidently in Sibisi’s absence and starred for Bafana during the recent World Cup qualifiers—earning Player of the Match in their 1-1 draw against Nigeria in Bloemfontein.

Chaine, who roomed with Mbokazi during the international break, is in awe of the youngster’s talent and mindset—reminding him of a younger version of himself.

“I don’t know how to describe him,” Chaine said of the 19-year-old. “I’ve had this feeling the last two or three years—where my mind can’t fully process what’s happening around me.

“It’s like everyone’s giving him all the credit, but his mind isn’t even processing it. It’s like he’s living on his own planet. For me, this guy is weird.

“For a 19-year-old to be doing the things he does—and not even realising it—that’s weird. But that’s what makes him extra special. His mindset and abilities are on another level. He knows there’s no one better than him.

“Ngumfana wasemakhaya, akahluhlwa (he’s a rural boy, and can’t be defeated). For him, defeat is not an option. You can beat him, but he won’t be defeated!”