Chaine Ready For Buthelezi Tussle In Goals At Pirates

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine says he will focus on himself when asked about the added competition from new signing Melusi Buthelezi.

Pirates, having finished second last season, will feature in the CAF Champions League, likely entering in the second round of the competition as their CAF coefficient ranking awards them that luxury after they have done well in recent season, even though they missed out completely last term.

The Soweto giants, who reached the Confederation Cup final last year, will also compete in the DStv Premiership, the MTN8, the newly-formed Carling Knockout Cup and the Nedbank Cup.

This past season they won two – the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, respectively, but when they found their cohesion under Spanish coach Jose Riveiro, it was too late to challenge for the league, as Mamelodi Sundowns had already cantered with the league title, ending the chase from everyone in April, the earliest this has happened in the PSL era.

“Coming to a club like Pirates, you are entering an environment where there is a lot to play for,” said Chaine.

“You play for everything. There is no priority over the other, each competition that you play in, you play to win.

“It’s not going to be an easy season. It’s going to demand a lot from us as a team, from each player. But I think that is how good players, best players strive.

“Yes, it comes with pressure and playing for a club like Pirates it comes with pressure, and you just have to embrace and work hard.”

Even though his arrival has not been officially announced yet, TS Galaxy goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi will join Pirates, as reported by iDiski Times. But Chaine is not perturbed by the added competition in the goalkeeping department for Pirates.

“For me it is about today, working to be better tomorrow,” said Chaine.

“Sipho Chaine trains every single day to make himself a better player. How you are training, it is about how you are willing to improve to get better.”

Chaine, who was a surprise signing by Pirates from Chippa United at the beginning of last term until 2025, featured in 23 matches in all competitions for the Houghton-based club, keeping seven clean sheets.

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He took over the Nr.1 spot in the second half of the campaign, helping Pirates to win the Nedbank Cup, with not many expecting his massive impact the he arrived.

“It is not about counting how many games I have played, but it’s about being chosen to represent the club and doing it to the best of your ability, given everything to the club, pushing it where it belongs,” he added.

“Many people have come before us and we know how much of a big brand Pirates is. We would like to push ourselves to get better every day.”