Ertugral urges Kaizer Chiefs to keep faith with goalkeeper Petersen

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral says the club should not drop captain Brandon Petersen despite a run of costly goalkeeping errors.

Petersen has faced mounting criticism after a number of mistakes in recent matches contributed to Amakhosi dropping valuable points. However, Ertugral believes changing goalkeepers would risk unsettling the entire defensive unit.

Ertugral handed Petersen his professional debut for Ajax Cape Town when the goalkeeper was 18, nearly 18 years ago. He said goalkeepers play a central role in a team’s defensive organisation and should not be replaced lightly.

“Goalkeepers are the pillars in a team, and changing them has never made real sense. We also look at history: a goalkeeper change also changes the behaviour at the back … you can’t see the goalkeepers alone,” Ertugral said on Tuesday.

Kaizer Chiefs enjoyed a strong defensive record last year, with Petersen keeping 18 clean sheets in 35 matches and conceding 23 goals in all competitions.

“Chiefs were successful last year as far as defending is concerned [and Petersen was at the centre of that success, keeping 18 clean sheets from 35 games, while conceding 23 in all competitions]. So if you change now, the whole behaviour at the back will change,” Ertugral said.

“What if the next one makes a mistake again? Then it’s a crisis, so they [Chiefs] must be careful.”

Ertugral also rejected the suggestion that Petersen was responsible for Kaizer Chiefs conceding directly from a corner in Saturday’s 1-all draw away to Polokwane City. He instead attributed the goal to the positioning of the defenders.

“Last weekend’s mistake had more to do with the positioning of the first defender in the first pole. It’s a complex situation, but I can’t stand here and talk on behalf of Chiefs coaches. I respect them and I know they will find solutions.”

He said he trusted Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz and his coaching staff to address the team’s defensive problems.

Petersen’s errors this season

– 9 August – against Arrows, MTN8 quarter-final at FNB: Petersen misjudged a high ball as Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0. – 15 August – against Downs, FNB: He was unable to hold a ball, allowing Cassius Mailula to head in the equaliser. The match finished 1-all. – 26 August – against Bay, Princess Magogo: Petersen bounced the ball off pressing Bay striker Nqaba Xulu, who scored the opening goal. The match ended 2-all. – Last Saturday – against Polokwane, Old Peter Mokaba: Kaizer Chiefs conceded directly from a corner at the near post. The match finished 1-all after Chiefs had scored first.