Muhsin Ertugral backs Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen to recover from costly errors

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral says the club should continue to trust goalkeeper and captain Brandon Petersen despite a run of mistakes that has cost the team valuable points.

Petersen has faced growing criticism after a series of uncertain performances, with some supporters calling for Fernando da Cruz to replace him. However, Ertugral believes changing goalkeepers would risk destabilising Kaizer Chiefs’ defence rather than solving the problem.

Ertugral gave Petersen his professional debut at Ajax Cape Town when the goalkeeper was 18, almost 18 years ago. He also believes Petersen’s contribution to Kaizer Chiefs’ defensive record last season should be taken into account.

“Goalkeepers are the pillars in a team, and changing them has never made real sense. We also look at history; a goalkeeper change also changes the behaviour at the back… you can’t see the goalkeepers alone,” Ertugral told Sowetan yesterday.

“Chiefs were successful last year as far as defending is concerned [and Petersen was at the centre of that success, keeping 18 clean sheets from 35 games, while conceding 23 in all competitions]; so if you change now, the whole behaviour at the back will change. What if the next one makes a mistake again? Then it’s a crisis, so they [Chiefs] must be careful.”

Petersen was criticised again in Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Polokwane City after Kaizer Chiefs conceded directly from a corner-kick. Ertugral, though, said the goal should not be attributed solely to the goalkeeper and instead pointed to the positioning of the defence.

“Last weekend’s mistake had more to do with the positioning of the first defender in the first pole. It’s a complex situation, but I can’t stand here and talk on behalf of Chiefs coaches. I respect them, and I know they will find solutions.”

Ertugral said he trusted Da Cruz to address the defensive problems and find a way forward with his squad.

Petersen’s errors this season

Petersen’s errors so far this season, with matches listed as league fixtures unless stated, include four incidents.

On August 9, during the MTN8 quarter-final against Arrows at FNB, he misjudged a high ball as Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0.

Six days later, against Downs at FNB, Petersen was unable to hold a ball, allowing Cassius Mailula to nod it on and make the score 1-1. The match ended 1-1.

On August 26 at Princess Magogo, he bounced the ball off pressing Bay striker Nqaba Xulu, who scored the opening goal in a match that finished 2-2.

Last Saturday at Old Peter Mokaba, Petersen conceded directly from a corner-kick at the near post in the 1-1 draw with Polokwane City. Kaizer Chiefs had scored first in that match.