Orlando Pirates coach Ouaddou highlights importance of goalkeeper Sipho Chaine

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why goalkeeper Sipho Chaine plays a much bigger role than simply protecting the team’s goal, describing him as a key leader in the Buccaneers’ tactical system.

The Moroccan tactician spoke after Pirates secured a crucial 1-0 away victory over Namibian champions African Stars at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie.

Tshepang Moremi scored the only goal of the encounter in the 75th minute, while Chaine helped the South African giants maintain their defensive solidity and secure another clean sheet.

For Ouaddou, the goalkeeper’s importance extends beyond his shot-stopping ability, as he is expected to provide leadership, maintain organisation and help ensure his teammates adhere to the team’s principles throughout matches.

The Pirates boss explained that his tactical approach depends on building a strong spine through the team, with influential figures positioned across different areas of the pitch to maintain balance and leadership.

“You see, in my game model, in the way that I’m coaching, I have always given importance to the whole team, of course, to the players. But you always need a spine, and the spine is the goalkeeper, the pair of central defenders, the six, the ten and the nine. And I need to have a leader in every line,” Ouaddou said.

The coach believes having leaders in key positions is essential to ensuring that his team functions effectively, particularly when players must make quick decisions under pressure.

“It’s important to have a well-oiled machine. You need to have strategic leaders in every line,” he added.

According to Ouaddou, Chaine is among the players entrusted with helping maintain that structure, alongside Deon Hotto and Nkosinathi Sibisi. Their understanding of the team’s playing philosophy allows them to reinforce instructions on the pitch, especially when communication with the technical team becomes difficult.

The Pirates coach pointed out that players cannot always hear instructions from the touchline in a noisy stadium, making it necessary for experienced figures within the team to take responsibility and guide their teammates.

“Because sometimes when you play in front of 60,000 people, the players cannot hear you. Of course, we work during the week on the principle that we want to see on the pitch,” he explained.

Ouaddou also stressed that leadership sometimes requires players to be vocal and demanding rather than remaining quiet when teammates lose concentration. He believes Chaine must be prepared to challenge those around him and ensure the team maintains its discipline and intensity.

“And sometimes you have to be hard, you know, not have to be a nice boy, you know, to wake up people who are sleeping. Sometimes you need to shout. You need to wake them up,” the coach said.

Chaine’s leadership and consistency have been important assets for Orlando Pirates, with his performances providing a solid foundation for the team’s defensive organisation.

The goalkeeper played every minute of Pirates’ 30 league matches during the 2025/26 season and recorded an impressive 21 clean sheets, underlining his reliability between the posts.

His latest shutout against African Stars further demonstrated his importance as Pirates pursue their ambition of reaching the CAF Champions League group stage.

Ouaddou, a former defender, also expressed his satisfaction with the team’s defensive performance, making it clear that preventing opponents from scoring remains one of his priorities.

“For me, I am a coach who loves goals and hates conceding them. I hate that as an ex-defender. So, today it was a good result. We scored one goal. We came back with a clean sheet, so I’m very happy,” he said.

With a narrow advantage secured in the first leg, Pirates will now prepare to host African Stars in the decisive return fixture on Friday, October 23, as they look to complete the job and move closer to securing a place in the group stage.

Chaine is expected to remain a crucial figure in that mission, not only for his work between the posts but also for the leadership and organisation Ouaddou demands from him within the team.