Orlando Pirates will end the year with plenty to give Sipho Chaine a pat on the back for what he has done at the club throughout the 2024 calendar year.
This year, Chaine has stepped up to the task of becoming first choice so much that he has also not only earned call-ups but has gotten his Bafana Bafana debut.
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He has established himself at Pirates on the back of having fought his way from the position that he took at the back of the queue upon arriving from Chippa United in September 2022.
His arrival came with Richard Ofori battling injury and blunder demons, Wayne Sandilands on his way out and Siyabonga Mpontshane fading away.
After having to wait, Chaine got his break at the beginning of 2023 and since then hasn't looked back.
If the year 2023 was good for him, then 2024 has been even much better as he has only missed two games in this calendar year.
No player at Pirates has such numbers on his back, not even Deon Hotto.
Chaine has played from start to finish in 35 of the 37 games played by the side this year, proving just how important he has become at the club.
Though he is locked into a contract for another two seasons, it will be interesting how the Soweto giants reward his step up.
Will the club hand him an upgrade within the contract that he is on or leave him on the current deal until its expiry?
Chaine already has 10 clean sheets this season.
Even Transfermarkt has his value at triple what it was at the beginning of last year considering what he has done in becoming the first choice at Pirates.
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From an estimate of R3,8 million, he is now placed at just over R13 million.
Bucs have Melusi Buthelezi on the bench as back-up with the other keepers in the club's books yet to play at the top level.