Orlando Pirates' legendary former goalkeeper Innocent "Ayobayo" Mayoyo has backed Sipho Chaine to play an important role in helping the team win a first league title since the 2011/12 season.
Chaine's Man-of-the-Match performance rescued Bucs from defeat against Cape Town City in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final on Wednesday.
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The encounter ended 1-1, with the second leg scheduled for Saturday at Orlando Stadium.
Mayoyo says his former side would be chasing the game were it not for the man between the sticks.
"For the fact that a goalkeeper became a Man of the Match, it shows that he made a difference for his team," Mayoyo says, speaking to KickOff.
"Remember, for goalkeepers to make saves, it means the strikers were hitting the target.
"It's not like these strikers were missing, it's the keepers who were making saves.
"Sipho Chaine, for him, it's a matter of being consistent. To be a great goalkeeper, you need to be consistent for years. You don't become great by performing well in one game.
"But I don't see any issues with him. He comes a long way as a goalkeeper. I think he is at the right place at the right time," he adds.
Mayoyo believes the 27-year-old deserves the same kind of recognition that was bestowed upon the Soweto giants' previous goalkeepers.
"I respect the young man. He is a good goalkeeper, and I'm following him. He is trustworthy.
"He needs to make sure the team wins the league. I believe Pirates is at the right space, the team is shaping up well, and we've got a very strong central defence.
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"The future is bright for Sipho Chaine at Pirates. We just need to win the league. All league champions have strong goalkeepers, and Sipho Chaine is a strong goalkeeper.
"He will win Pirates the league if the whole team remains consistent this season."