Kaizer Chiefs praise Renaldo Leaner after debut clean sheet

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard praised goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner after he kept a clean sheet on his official debut for the club.

Leaner, 28, was given his opportunity after Brandon Petersen suffered a knee injury in training last week. Kaizer Chiefs say Petersen is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks.

The former Sekhukhune United goalkeeper joined Amakhosi on a free transfer but had initially been forced to wait for his chance, with Petersen starting the season as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Leaner stepped in for the injured Petersen during Chiefs’ goalless draw with Abafana Bes’thende, and Sheppard was impressed by his contribution. Sheppard handled post-match duties in place of head coach Fernando Da Cruz.

“Very good,” Sheppard told reporters when asked to assess Leaner’s performance.

“His leadership at the back, a couple of crucial saves to keep us in the game. Very good.

“That’s why you have a squad, when players get injured, others are given a chance.

“I’m very happy for him, he’s come on with a lot of confidence, and as you saw he’s kept a clean sheet today, so very good.”

The result extended Kaizer Chiefs’ unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership season, although it was their fourth draw in their past five matches.

They remain fourth in the table with 13 points from seven games. Chiefs are three points behind third-placed AmaZulu and seven points adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one match fewer.

Kaizer Chiefs will return to action on 17 October, when they face Stellenbosch FC.