South African soccer player
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
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
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