Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine says the call to join the club came as a shock to him as he salivates in winning two trophies this season with the Soweto giants.
A move that no one saw it coming, but Pirates announced the signing of Chaine from Chippa United after this campaign had started. Chaine had even played two matches of the Chilli Boyz.
That signing came even though Richard Ofori was preferred to be number one goalie for the club, but the management knew that the Ghanaian has been mired by injury issues.
Pirates also cannot rely on the Siyabonga Mpontshane, who was left embarrassed in the Soweto Derby match against Kaizer Chiefs in October when he was caught from range by Yusuf Maart, with that goal having been named the Goal of the Season in the PSL Awards last Sunday.
But Chaine had to wait as his first start was against Cape Town City in the second match after the FIFA World Cup break was over in January and he never looked back ever since.
He has played all matches since then, including all five in the Nedbank Cup triumph as Pirates had their best season on their way to finish second.
Mpontshane has been his understudy while Ofori last played in the MTN8 final win in November last year against AmaZulu, picking up an injury and missed the World Cup for the Black Stars of Ghana.
Chaine says everyone is dreaming “to be in my space now” especially manning the goals for the club like Pirates.
“For me, it was really unexpected and it came as a shock to me as well,” reflected Chaine, who saw little game time at Bloemfontein Celtic, Royal AM and Chippa United respectively before Pirates move.
“It was a shock to everyone. Coming to the greatest club, coming to Orlando Pirates, no some much to have established, coming to this environment that always strives to win each and every game, I think for me it was a great achievement at how I pushed myself and how I always demanded from myself.
“Like you saw coming from Celtic, Royal AM, Chippa, I always look at how I get better as a footballer.
“Everyone can say it worked well at Pirates because we won trophies. But it starts by how much you are willing to learn, how much you invested into your craft, into your football.
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“For me personally, this is a great achievement – there is more, but I like to give the glory to God for giving me this opportunity.
“Everyone wants to be in my space now, but like I said, nobody expected it. But His (God) grace has carried me.”
