Brandon Petersen says Kaizer Chiefs can close eight-point gap in Soweto derby

Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen says the eight-point difference between his side and Orlando Pirates will not distract them ahead of Saturday’s 186th Soweto derby at FNB Stadium (3.30pm).

Kaizer Chiefs are fifth in the table on 14 points, while Orlando Pirates sit second, one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Orlando Pirates also have a game in hand over Sundowns.

Petersen believes the title race remains open and that the focus must be on competing until the end of the season. A victory for Kaizer Chiefs would reduce the gap to five points, although the goalkeeper played down the significance of the current standings.

“For me the season is still very long if you look at it and … you fight until the end. It doesn’t matter what the gap is and what the gap looks like now,” Petersen said.

“Obviously three points will be very important for us in closing that gap, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

The Chiefs captain added that the team’s objective was to ensure they could look back on the campaign with pride, regardless of the distance between the two Soweto rivals at this stage.

“For me it’s fighting until the end and making sure that come the end of the season, we make sure that we give a good account of ourselves,” he said.

Petersen’s own performances have also attracted attention in recent weeks. He came under pressure after a number of costly mistakes contributed to Kaizer Chiefs failing to win several important matches.

The goalkeeper said the criticism had not changed his view of himself, insisting that negative comments should not determine his identity as either a person or a footballer.

“I think the most important thing for me is to know that those words and negative stuff going around doesn’t define me as a person, as a footballer, because I’m much more than that,” he said.

Petersen said maintaining a clear understanding of his value and principles had helped him deal with the scrutiny surrounding him.

“Secondly, it’s for me to know my worth. Like I said, it’s important to know who you are and what you stand for,” he said.

“When you get that right, nothing else that’s happening around you really fazes you, but it doesn’t really buckle you or it’s not really an obstacle in the road.”