Sipho Chaine Earns a Special Place in the Hearts of Orlando Pirates Fans with Unforgettable MTN8 Final Heroics against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Steve Komphela, the Head Coach of Moroka Swallows, recognized Chaine’s enormous potential early on, dating back to his days at Bloemfontein Celtic. Chaine’s skills shone bright as he blocked three penalties in the 3-1 victory over Sundowns last Saturday, proving his critics wrong.
“Go and ask Sipho what I told him, it was at Macufe Challenge and he played against Kaizer Chiefs,” Komphela recalled.
“I still remember vividly the colourful tights that he was wearing. I told him that ‘you are going to go places my friend’ and what happened against Sundowns is only shocking for those who don’t follow the game.”
Silencing the Doubters: Tshegofatso Mabasa Thrives Under Komphela’s Guidance, Scoring Six DStv Premiership Goals in Just Eight Matches with the Dube Birds.
Mabasa’s Remarkable Rise: A Comparison to Erling Haaland
“What is happening to Mabasa will shock those who haven’t been keeping track of him. The guy has unbelievable striker’s qualities. He has brains for it and an instinct for it,” Komphela said about Mabasa before likening him to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.
“Above all, he smells where the ball is going to drop and that can only be found in special players that are designated for that special position. You don’t go to school and learn about where the ball is going to drop.
“How does Halaand know where the ball is going to drop? How did he learn that this one I’m going to take it first time? Mabasa has those (qualities) but who knew about them? Those who worked with him and who didn’t know about his qualities? Those that never had the opportunity to work with him.”
Mabasa might view himself as unfortunate for not making the Bafana Bafana squad for the friendlies against Eswatini and Ivory Coast. Nevertheless, Komphela isn’t endorsing the inclusion of the former Pirates forward in the national team.
“I’m a person who is not going to make a strong recommendation that my players or Swallows players must be in the national team,” he concluded.
“No, it is the responsibility of those who are given the opportunity to lead such environments but what I saw in him (Mabasa) at Bloemfontein Celtic is the same thing I saw in Sipho at Celtic.”
