The consequence of Sipho Chaine's fine form at Orlando Pirates this season has come with continental relevance having now risen to the top of the pile in the CAF Champions League.
Chaine is now the established first choice at Pirates as proven by his numbers since arriving from Chippa United in September 2022.
This season, the former Bloemfontein Celtic keeper has played 36 games, conceded 27 and kept 16 clean sheets, while also achieving his first clean sheet in the Soweto Derby at the fourth attempt.
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His clean sheets have been an improvement from six through his first campaign at the club, which he then doubled in his second.
This season, he has taken it a step further, especially in the Champions League, where he is competing with established goalkeepers such as Mohamed El Shenawy of Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns' Ronwen Williams.
As it stands in the Champions League with all eight remaining teams having played their first legs of the quarterfinals, Chaine has been the only ever-present goalkeeper in the competition with 11 appearances.
The 28-year-old has been between the posts for all games against Disciples FC, Jwaneng Galaxy, CRB, Al Ahly, Stade Abidjan, and MC Alger.
His count of seven clean sheets is the most.
El Shenawy and Williams have both missed one of their club matches in the competition and have four clean sheets each.
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Issa Fofana of Sudanese champions Al Hilal has played 10 out of 11 and has four clean sheets, while Abdelatif Ramdane of MC Alger has played nine out 11 and has six clean sheets.
Pyramids' Ahmed El Shenawy has featured in nine out of 11 with a return of only three clean sheets.
At AS FAR, Ayoub El Khayati has played six with three clean sheets, with El Mehdi Benabid and Hamza Hamiani playing the other games.