Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has admitted he has no option but to step up and help others after the exit of senior custodians Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane.
The duo was deemed surplus to requirements by the Sea Robbers and released in the ongoing transfer window.
At 27 years old, Chaine is the senior-most goalkeeper at Bucs and will have to guide Melusi Buthelezi who is a year younger, and teenager Sphamandla Gumede.
Chaine ready to step up
“I think as a football player or for me personally, nobody needs to come and tell you your role and your responsibility at the moment,” Chaine told iDiski Times.
“I think the scenery always gives out information about what’s happening at the moment, and generally, in life, it hasn’t always been about me. There are certain things that you would help other people with, and they would remember you for the rest of their lives.
“For me, I’ve always been that person, even last season when we had a lot of junior goalkeepers come train with us, my space is that I need to help somebody get better at any aspect that I think he needs to get better, and the most important thing is to help them where they are, what is required to be at a club like Pirates and also guide them into moving into their next level in their careers.”
How will Chaine help young keepers?
A club like Bucs will definitely sign some young keepers who need guidance and advice as far as their careers are concerned.
“They are very young goalkeepers, some might have played in the regional leagues, some in the ABC Motsepe League and the NFD, it’s a different scenery altogether, and it’s not even another club in the PSL, but they are coming like Orlando Pirates, where they are required to work at a far different level than they are used to,” Chaine concluded.
The custodian will be needed to be at his best consistently to help the Sea Robbers challenge for the Premier Soccer League and perform well in the Caf Champions League.
