Da Cruz demands sharper Kaizer Chiefs after Petersen mistake in Polokwane draw

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz says his side must stop handing opponents goals after goalkeeper and captain Brandon Petersen made another costly error in the draw with Polokwane City.

Petersen was at fault for Polokwane’s equaliser during the Betway Premiership encounter at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, making it the fourth mistake leading to a goal for the experienced goalkeeper this season.

The latest error has increased the pressure on Petersen and raised further concern about Kaizer Chiefs’ defensive structure. It was particularly frustrating for Da Cruz because his team had identified Polokwane’s threat from set-pieces and crosses before the match.

Petersen had also made important saves earlier in the game to keep Chiefs involved.

“For sure it’s very disappointing because we made changes after Brandon made those big saves in the first half, we knew they’re good at set-pieces and crosses but when we concede this type of goal, we should be disappointed,” Da Cruz told the media after the match.

The French coach said the equaliser reflected a broader problem that has developed in recent matches. Speaking to SuperSport TV immediately after the game, he argued that opponents were not necessarily creating clear opportunities but were benefiting from mistakes made by Chiefs.

“It’s very easy to analyse, before we didn’t make mistakes, we didn’t give chances to the opponents to score,” Da Cruz said.

“But now since Richards Bay, then Siwelele and today Polokwane City, the opponent doesn’t create chances but we make big mistakes and we give opponents the chance to score goals.”

Petersen’s position is under particular scrutiny because he has also been given the captaincy. His form is therefore an important issue for a team trying to establish greater consistency under Da Cruz, who has repeatedly stressed the need to reduce individual errors.

However, the manager made clear that he does not regard Petersen as the only problem. Chiefs must also become more clinical when opportunities arise in the opposition penalty area, he said.

“We must not doubt, because we made good things but we are not (possessing) enough killer (instincts) in the two boxes – our and the box of the opponent also,” Da Cruz added.

Despite another dropped opportunity, Da Cruz believes Chiefs are making progress and urged his players to retain their confidence.

“But we also make good things, so we need to continue to believe in ourselves because we are on a good (right path) way.”

The challenge now is to combine that belief with greater concentration. Da Cruz can point to positive aspects of Chiefs’ performances, but repeated individual mistakes, especially those directly leading to goals, continue to prevent the side from turning encouraging displays into wins.

The match also featured Lebohang Maboe of Kaizer Chiefs and Banele Mnguni of Polokwane City.