Kaizer Chiefs back Brandon Petersen after costly errors

Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen has received the full backing of his team-mates and coach Fernando da Cruz, despite making three costly mistakes during an unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership season.

Chiefs have won two and drawn two of their opening four league matches, leaving them fourth in the table with eight points. They are five points behind leaders Orlando Pirates, who have played one more game.

The early results have encouraged supporters that Chiefs can improve on last season’s third-place finish, with the combination of experienced players and new arrivals beginning to produce positive results.

However, the club’s defensive performance remains an area of concern. Petersen was at fault for three errors this season, including one during Chiefs’ 1-0 defeat by Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-finals. That result remains the side’s most significant setback of the campaign.

Defender Zitha Kwinika has rejected the suggestion that Petersen should carry sole responsibility for the goals Chiefs have conceded, while Da Cruz has also defended the goalkeeper and captain.

“I think errors are part of football. I will stand with Beezer any day,” Kwinika said. “He’s our leader. He’s a big boy and understands what happens. It can rain now, but the sun will shine again. I won’t dwell on the past.”

Kwinika said defensive mistakes were the result of a collective lapse in concentration rather than the actions of one player.

“At the end of the day, we all contribute to what happens on the pitch. For an opponent to score, it means someone failed to close them down; it cannot be on Petersen alone. We all contribute to that.”

He added that Chiefs’ defenders must improve by focusing more closely on the detail involved in preventing goals.

“It’s a matter of getting things right,” Kwinika said. “I understand that a clean sheet is what we want. What we are taking from this is analyzing how we are conceding goals. It is a matter of paying more attention to detail, not a lack of structure.”

Da Cruz demands focus

Chiefs face Siwelele FC at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday at 15:00, with Da Cruz warning his players that their unbeaten record must not lead to complacency.

The coach said every opponent in the division posed a serious challenge and urged his squad to maintain its focus as it attempts to move higher up the standings.

“We respect Siwelele,” Da Cruz said. “The championship is very difficult. It is one of the best leagues on the continent, so we respect every opponent.”

“We want to continue improving. We need to be more clinical in the final third, correct our mistakes, and ensure that we climb higher in the standings.”

Chiefs’ encouraging start has raised expectations among their supporters, particularly after last season’s third-place finish. The club now aims to build on its opening results while reducing the errors that have undermined its defensive record.

For Kwinika, the response is collective: Chiefs must examine how they are conceding goals, improve their concentration and support Petersen rather than blaming him alone.