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

Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen says the eight-point gap separating his side from Orlando Pirates will not affect their approach to Saturday’s 186th Soweto derby at FNB Stadium (15:30).

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

Despite the difference between the sides, Petersen believes the league position can still change significantly before the end of the campaign.

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

“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.”

The Chiefs goalkeeper has faced criticism in recent weeks after a number of costly mistakes contributed to the team failing to win some important matches.

Petersen, however, says the negative attention has not changed his view of himself or his ability.

“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.

“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. 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.”

The derby presents Chiefs with an opportunity to reduce the deficit to Pirates, although Petersen stressed that the significance of the result must be viewed within the context of the entire season.

The comments were reported by Sowetan.