Sipho Chaine: Breakthrough Season

On the 03 August 2019, I was sitting in a tarven called Café Lascara, the joint is situated in the popular Small Street of Bloemfontein, I had my beer on the floor and eyes glued to the TV screen, as Bloemfontein Celtics visited Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium.

As the teams came out of the tunnel, there was a young lanky goalkeeper from the Bloemfontein Celtics team, walking with a bounce and dose of confidence, and had his shoulders up, that walk on field was a statement of I belong here, I have earned this, I deserve this.

When teams were displayed, I paid attention, something that is very difficult to do when you’re two Black Labels in and with loud music in the background, I managed to get a look at the Celtics team, and the name of ‘keeper who caught my eye was Sipho Chaine. I was happy for him and the same time I was scared for him, would he be able to handle the pressure of such a big game.

“It was really a big platform, opening game of the season against Orlando Pirates at Orlando. There was pressure and nervous but I was ready,” said Chaine.

Signs of pressure and nerves, were not visible to me, I saw a young goalkeeper handling his business like a seasoned professional, and he was clamant character, no signs of anxiety. I was impressed, I knew he was special. So on Monday I told a friend of mine about him, he told me he went to school with Sipho Chaine at Louis Botha High School; and I thought to myself, ‘that’s what made this guy special, he’s a local chap, that’s why he was beaming with pride when walking to the field’.

As a Bloemfontein lad, Chaine is living the dream of many people who had aspirations of turning up for the club they idolised, and with that he carries the pressure of the fans more because in him they see themselves and he too is one of them as he was part of the Siwelele culture of going to the games week in – week out.

“I really can’t describe the feeling I have of representing the club I grew I supporting, I thank God every day. Knowing how I grew up, going to the stadium, I understand what the club means to the people of the province.

Personally, I think there is always pressure in football, but being from Bloemfontein does bring added pressure. Growing up we all had the same dream of playing for the team, going to the one that made, is special. But I see it as a way of giving back to the community.”

The 2019/2020 season a breakthrough one for the 23-year-old, even though he has been part of the first team setup since 2017. Patience, is a word we throw about on a regular but many never live it, and through football, especially as a goalkeeper Chaine has got comprehend what the word means.

“In my football career, in every season I have been a product of patience; from the schools, development and first team. It was never smooth sailing for me, I always had to wait to be play, sometimes years.”

Even in his breakthrough season, Chaine had to be patient as he was deputizing for the more experienced Jackson Mabokgwane and club legend Patrick Tignyemb the season before.

“I had to be patient, there’s a lot you can learn from a guy like Jackson, and before that there was Patrick. I learned a lot from both of them, taking from their game and adding to mine,” said Chaine.

 During the season pause, John Maduka took over as senior coach after the departure of Lehlohonolo Seema. This proved to be a blessing for Chaine as he was deemed first choice goalkeeper when the season resumed.

“Everybody works hard, it’s the coaches that decide who plays, if you’re given the opportunity you have to take it. I thank him for the confidence he has given to me, he has allowed me to believe in myself, and see the potential he sees in me.

He was the captain of the club before and that works hand in hand with being a leader now. It has been a great journey working with him, I’m always learning from him. He has an open-door policy, when you want to talk, he’s always available and that’s nice.”

In his breakthrough season, which began at the Orlando Stadium, it ironically concluded in the same venue with the Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns, although the result was not the one, he desired as they lost 1-0, the experience of playing a cup final is something Chaine has learned from.

“Playing in a final in your breakthrough is big, especially against a team like Sundowns; being in that stage. We did not win but as a team we got to learn from the experience,” concluded Chaine.

This 2019/2020 was one for the books for Sipho Chaine, and he can only build on from it as he laid a solid foundation.