Kaizer Chiefs boss backs Brandon Petersen after costly goalkeeping errors

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has reaffirmed his faith in captain Brandon Petersen and says the club will not abandon its approach of building play from the back, despite the goalkeeper coming under pressure early in the season.

Petersen, 31, has been criticised after a series of costly mistakes, including the error that allowed Richards Bay to score in a 2-2 draw in the Betway Premiership. His performance was also judged to have contributed to Kaizer Chiefs’ elimination from the MTN8, after they lost to Golden Arrows in the quarter-finals.

Da Cruz said he would speak to Petersen before the side’s next league match, but made clear that the goalkeeper’s recent difficulties would not lead to a change in the team’s tactical identity.

The coach, speaking to the media through an interpreter, said Petersen had also made mistakes during the previous campaign but had nevertheless played an important role in helping Kaizer Chiefs finish in the top three of the Betway Premiership.

“He says Brandon also made mistakes last season,” said the coach.

“But also made a very good season last season, he got a lot of points for his team. He says he trusts him at 100%.

“He’s our captain so he trusts in him he will discuss with him about this weekend, but our game model will not change.

“We’ll continue in our normal game.”

Petersen’s current difficulties contrast with his form last season, when he kept 15 clean sheets and helped Kaizer Chiefs secure a top-three finish. That campaign established him as an important figure for the team, both as its goalkeeper and as its captain.

The Amakhosi have now faced scrutiny over mistakes in key moments, with the goal conceded against Richards Bay the latest incident to draw attention. The error came in a match that ended level at 2-2, while the MTN8 exit against Golden Arrows added to the pressure surrounding Petersen.

Despite those setbacks, Da Cruz has indicated that the club’s support for its captain remains firm. He is expected to discuss the situation with Petersen before the upcoming league fixture, but the coach does not intend to remove responsibility from the goalkeeper or alter the principles behind the team’s style of play.

Kaizer Chiefs will therefore continue to build from defence, with Da Cruz backing Petersen to regain the form he showed last season. The coach’s comments underline that the goalkeeper remains central to the team’s plans, even as he attempts to recover from a difficult start to the current term.