Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen says they are in good spirits ahead of the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates.
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Brandon Petersen is relishing what he describes as his best season at Kaizer Chiefs, crediting hard work and patience within the team, as he looks to finish strongly, including winning the final Soweto derby of the campaign.
Chiefs will visit arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the return leg of the Betway Premiership Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
While they may be underdogs on paper, Chiefs are highly motivated. They are unbeaten in their last six league matches, with five wins and a draw against Polokwane City, and have Petersen back between the posts.
The Chiefs captain missed the first derby after undergoing surgery on the eve of the match – a setback that temporarily disrupted his form, having kept 11 clean sheets prior to that.
Now fully fit, Petersen has returned among the top performers, extending his tally to 13 clean sheets in 19 league matches. It’s no surprise he is pleased with how his season has unfolded.
“This is probably one of the best seasons I’ve had at the club, if not the best,” said Petersen ahead of the derby. “I think this season has been a good one – a special one. I had a strong start.
“I learnt a lot from last season, where things didn’t go well. We ended up winning the Nedbank Cup, but in the league, personally, I felt disappointed. We conceded a lot of goals in certain areas, so it was important to reflect.
“I sat down with the goalkeeper coach and my fellow goalkeepers to make sure that coming into this season, we were mentally and physically ready.”
Petersen’s journey to the top hasn’t been easy. He joined the club in July 2021 after spending the previous season without a team following the sale of Bidvest Wits.
His start was far from smooth, as he was initially behind two experienced international goalkeepers. But through patience and hard work, he has risen to become not only the No. 1, but also the club captain.
“In the beginning when I joined Chiefs, Itumeleng Khune and Daniel Akpeyi were there,” Petersen explained. “It was about understanding that I was stepping into a competitive environment, and that those before me had served the club well.
“But I realised that we are placed in certain situations for a reason, and we all have our own paths. I couldn’t try to be like those who came before me – I needed to focus on my journey and find my purpose at the club.”
His performances this season have not gone unnoticed. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos recently indicated that, had Petersen not been injured, he would have been in contention for the latest national team squad.
With a handful of matches remaining and Chiefs pushing for a top-three finish, Petersen is focused on maintaining his form and letting his performances speak for themselves.
“It was disappointing, but only at that moment,” he said. “Hearing that from the coach gives me motivation to keep working hard.
“To be selected, you have to perform at club level. There are a few games left, and that’s where my focus is. That’s the only way to earn a national call-up.”
In Sunday’s derby, Petersen will come up against one of his rivals for a national team place, Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Chaine has enjoyed an outstanding season, matching the club record of 17 clean sheets in a league campaign – previously set by Moeneeb Joseph.
Regardless of the competition, Petersen has praised his counterpart’s consistency.
“He’s had a phenomenal season, and last season as well. He’s been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the league,” Petersen said. “Hats off to him.
At clubs like Chiefs and Pirates, expectations are high, so to perform at that level consistently is impressive. Long may it continue.”