Orlando Pirates Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou Urges Bafana Call-Up for Record-Breaking Sipho Chaine Ahead of USA World Cup

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made a public plea for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to include goalkeeper Sipho Chaine in South Africa’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States and Mexico. Chaine matched Ronwen Williams’ PSL clean-sheet record of 18 after Pirates’ 2-0 win over Stellenbosch FC on 5 May at Athlone Stadium. The 28-year-old Bloemfontein-born shot-stopper still has three league games left to break the record outright. Speaking after the win, Ouaddou praised Chaine’s consistency and called for national recognition.“I’m happy for him that he broke the record, and we still have some games left,” Ouaddou told the media. “Chaine is an important player for us. I hope definitely that Hugo Broos, the coach of the national team, will see his performance. And I really, really hope that he will be part of the national team in the US. He deserves it and he’s working hard for that”. Ouaddou also backed striker Evidence Makgopa for a call-up, saying both players have done enough to be on the plane to the World Cup. Despite his form, Chaine has been overlooked for recent Bafana squads. He missed the friendlies against Panama in Durban and Cape Town, where Williams started and Ricardo Goss and Renaldo Leaner were picked as backups. Chaine’s 18 clean sheets this season have been key to Pirates’ push for silverware and a strong finish in the Betway Premiership. His performances have put him firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s top goalkeepers. Bafana Bafana are preparing for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off next month across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Broos is expected to name his final squad soon, with goalkeeper selection a key talking point given Williams’ status as first choice and the battle for backup spots.For Ouaddou, the message is clear: Chaine’s numbers and consistency deserve a look.