Sipho Chaine of Orlando Pirates during the Betway Premiership 2025/26 match between Orlando Pirates and Durban City FC at Orlando Amstel Arena, in Soweto on 16 May 2026 ©Phakamisa Lensman/Backpagepix
Monday May 25, 2026. 16:00
Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has expressed his desire to represent Bafana Bafana at the upcoming FIFA World Cup as coach Hugo Broos faces a critical selection conundrum.
Chaine was a crucial component to Pirates’ 2025/26 Betway Premiership title winning charge, ending the campaign with 21 clean sheets as the most in a PSL history.
The goalkeeper was recently named in Broos’ preliminary squad for the showpiece but is expected to face stern competition alongside Ronwen Williams for the number one spot between the sticks.
Reflecting on his chances of heading to the Americas with Bafana Bafana, Chaine expressed that he attempted to cover all areas of performance in his auditions throughout the 25/26 campaign.
“It is every player’s dream to represent their country at the World Cup, but the most important thing is to control what I can, which is playing every game like it is my last at Orlando Pirates,” Chaine said, as per Sunday World.
“All I can control is the amount of saves that I make, the crosses that I collect, and the communication with my teammates, and that has gone well up to this point.
“But the rest [being possibly selected for the World Cup], I will leave it to God and in the Lord’s hands.”