With the 2023/24 season set to resume in mid-February, Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine is one of the players that will be expected to have made progress in his injury situation.
The shot-stopper has been out of competitive football action since October after picking up a knee injury against Cape Town Spurs in a Carling Knockout fixture. The 27-year-old was given between six and eight weeks to recover, but it has taken him longer than that as Bucs finished last year without him featuring in any official matches.
With Richard Ofori having appeared to struggle with loss of form as seen in the Africa Cup of Nations as Ghana were knocked out in the group stages with him in goals in all three matches, the Soweto giants are hoping for Chaine to be ready for the league's restart to compete for the number one jersey.
Melusi Buthelezi, who did well in goals in Chaine's absence, has been under pressure in fixtures leading up to the break after conceding seven goals in three matches, and some sections of the side's supporters have been increasingly concerned.
"There have been concerns over the injury of Sipho Chaine as it has taken longer than expected for him to recover. He was doing well before he got injured and things haven't been the same for the club in the goalkeeping department without his contribution," said a source.
"But the good thing is that he has returned to training and there is hope. The club will be monitoring the situation and hope that he gets back to continue where he left off. He missed more than 10 matches since his injury and that has been a concern," the source added.
Chaine is in his second season with the club after signing from Chippa United in 2022. As reported by the Siya crew, there have been plans for the player's deal to be extended before it expires in June next year, and his progress between now and then will be beneficial to him staying further.
