I try to be my biggest critic, says Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Chaine ahead of cup final

Another season and it’s another cup final on the horizon for Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, even though he’s mindful of getting carried away.

Pirates will face Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 final at an already sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (6pm kick-off).

And while the two teams are expected to leave everything on the pitch, all eyes will be on Chaine to safeguard his team to another piece of silverware.

The 27-year-old was the hero in the last Wafa Wafa cup final at the same venue last season, saving three penalties in the 3-1 shootout win over Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chaine’s exploits were so good in the tournament that he was voted as the MTN8 Last Man Standing at the awards ceremony.

He again took things up a notch in the Nedbank Cup final against Sundowns, saving Lucas Ribeiro’s penalty en route to a 2-1 Pirates win in regulation time.

Now, having been a hero for his team last season, one would bet on Chaine to be full of himself heading to the final against Stellies – but far from it.

“I think I have said this before – throughout my career, I try to be the best version of myself,” Chaine explained.

“I try to improve in every game and training session. It’s a new day, and another chance for me to get better in whatever it is that I do.

“In every aspect of my game, I try to be my biggest critic. And that has helped me to improve a lot and become a better player.”

Chaine is already a better player, as he recently got his maiden Bafana Bafana call-up, making his full debut in the 3-2 win over South Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Chaine’s story is quite remarkable, especially given the fact that he arrived at Pirates as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane.

But thanks to injuries and a drop in form from his rivals, Chaine grabbed the opportunity to don the No 1 jersey with both hands, sending Ofori out of the club and Mpontshane to retirement.

“I think when you start your career as a goalkeeper, you must know at the back of your mind that there’s a lot that you have to prove,” Chaine said.

“For myself, I needed to prove that one day I’ll become a better player, and I’ll be part of a bigger institution such as Orlando Pirates.

“I needed to work on myself and prove things to myself. It might seem as though I am already there, but to every youngster, that’s the biggest motivation you can give yourself.”

Sure, Pirates were the most successful team in domestic cup competitions last season, but they were followed by Stellies, who won the Carling Knockout Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Knowing the threat that Stellies pose, Chaine has pleaded with his teammates to play the game, and not get caught up in the occasion.

“I think the best thing that we can do for ourselves as Orlando Pirates is to focus on our game this weekend,” he said.

“We don’t want to dwell on the successes that we have had in the past. That’s the most important for me – to do something new and work as hard as I can. I don't want to focus more on the past.

“I think the most important thing for us is to play the game and not focus on the occasion, even though at the back of your mind, we know that they’ll be expectations.

💥 The countdown begins!

The ultimate showdown is just 4 days away!

#MTN8 🏆 2024 Final
🆚 @StellenboschFC
🏟️ Moses Mabhida Stadium
🗓️ 5 October 2024
🎟️ SOLD OUT ⛔
⏰ 18H00
📺 @SuperSportTV

⚫⚪🔴⭐
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— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 1, 2024

“I think we just need to focus on the game and whatever we are trying to execute. That’s what we’ve been doing during the start of the season – to push ourselves and win games.”

Unlike Pirates, Stellenbosch are already used to playing at Moses Mabhida this season. They used the ground as their home venue when the Danie Craven Stadium underwent renovation.

They created good memories there, beating Nsingizini Hotspurs in the CAF Confederation Cup and Sundowns in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final.

“We are expecting a very tough match from them. We know that they are a very good side. We know the threat they pose against all the teams they face,” Chaine said of Cape side’s prowess.