Kaizer Chiefs face bigger defensive dilemma than Brandon Petersen

Brandon Petersen’s latest error has revived calls for a change in goal at Kaizer Chiefs, but the club’s underlying problem extends beyond the captain’s performance.

Petersen has started all seven of Chiefs’ matches in all competitions this season, conceding eight goals in that time. His most recent mistake came against Polokwane City, when he failed to hold a corner. The ball struck his chest before crossing the line, allowing the hosts to equalise in a 1-1 draw.

The incident was an unfortunate one for the 31-year-old, but it has inevitably placed his position under renewed scrutiny. Petersen is not only the Glamour Boys’ goalkeeper; he also wears the captain’s armband, making any decision to remove him from the starting XI more significant than a straightforward change of personnel.

Fernando Da Cruz must therefore decide whether he has a replacement capable of improving the team immediately. Renaldo Leaner, who joined during the off-season, is the most obvious senior alternative. Bruce Bvuma and young goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba are other options, while Fiacre Ntwari is spending the season on loan at Kruger United.

For a club aiming to challenge for silverware, that does not represent an abundance of proven choices.

Chiefs still searching for defensive stability

Before making Petersen the central focus of their defensive difficulties, Chiefs must also consider the instability in front of him.

Da Cruz has already used a back four, a back five and a three-man defensive system this season. Chiefs lined up in a 4-2-3-1 against Kruger United and Sekhukhune United, a 5-3-2 against Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City, and a 3-4-3 against Richards Bay and Siwelele.

Injuries have played a part in those changes, but the frequent alterations have also prevented the defensive unit from building consistent relationships. Centre-backs need time to understand each other, full-backs must know when they can move forward, and the goalkeeper needs confidence in those protecting him.

Constant changes make all of that more difficult.

That does not remove Petersen’s responsibility. A goalkeeper with his experience, particularly one who is also captain, must be judged on his own displays. Da Cruz has expressed disappointment with the error against Polokwane City.

However, Chiefs should be wary of treating every defensive failure as a goalkeeping issue. Eight goals conceded in seven matches is not, by itself, catastrophic. The greater concern is the manner in which some of those goals have been allowed, alongside the team’s failure to establish a settled defensive identity.

If Da Cruz leaves Petersen out, he must be certain the goalkeeper coming in can improve the situation straight away. The decision would affect more than the position between the posts: it would also remove the captain from the team.

At Naturena, the key issue is not simply whether Petersen is good enough. Chiefs must determine whether they have a better option now, and whether their defence is stable enough to protect that player.

Until then, Petersen will continue to carry responsibility for problems that appear to extend well beyond the goalkeeper.