Leaner should start Soweto Derby, says former Chiefs midfielder Mlwane

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Humphrey Mlwane believes Renaldo Leaner should retain his place for the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates, warning that choosing the more experienced Brandon Petersen could work against the club.

Petersen, who is Kaizer Chiefs captain, is recovering from a left-knee medial collateral ligament injury sustained in training last month. The club’s medical team initially gave him an estimated recovery period of six weeks, leaving open the possibility that he could return for the derby on 31 October.

Leaner was brought into the starting line-up after Petersen’s injury for the match against Lamontville Golden Arrows. His performance earned widespread praise from Chiefs supporters and the club’s technical team.

Mlwane said that form, rather than experience, should determine who starts in goal.

“Petersen, he still needs to rest a bit more after the poor performance he gave before the injury; let’s allow Leaner a chance to shine and showcase his talent in a Soweto Derby. We already know what Brandon can do; now let’s see what we’ve really got in Leaner,” Mlwane told KickOff.

He added that Leaner had done enough in the Golden Arrows match to merit a starting place in one of South African football’s biggest fixtures.

“If players are really selected based on performance, then Leaner deserve to start in the Soweto Derby. After what I saw in the Arrows game, I feel Leaner deserves a starting point when it comes to the Derby,” he said.

Mlwane also argued that featuring Petersen simply because he has previously played in the fixture could damage Chiefs’ chances on 31 October.

“Choosing experience of having played the Derby before over current performance might hurt Chiefs on October 31,” he said.

The former midfielder believes Leaner should now be given the opportunity to experience the fixture for the first time in his career.

“We were all given an opportunity to play our first derby in our careers at one stage. This is Leaner’s turn to taste his first Soweto Derby,” Mlwane added.