Brandon Petersen’s masterclass in the Soweto Derby has reignited the Bafana Bafana debate. Photo Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
COMMENT
The doubt around Brandon Petersen’s qualities must have been cleared up by now. He is the cornerstone of this Kaizer Chiefs team and deserves a spot in Bafana Bafana’s Fifa World Cup 2026 goalkeeping department.
Petersen was the standout performer when Chiefs drew 1-1 with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the second Betway Premiership Soweto derby of the season at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Granted, he conceded Kamogelo’s Sebelebele's equaliser, which cancelled Pule Mmodi’s goal late in the game, but if it wasn’t for his exploits in goal, Chiefs would have arguably lost the derby.
It is not that Pirates were the dominant team on the day; far from it. They just happened to have clear-cut opportunities which Petersen proved equal to, salvaging a precious point for his team in their top 3 ambitions. Apart from his saves, Petersen’s presence and command of his defence brought comfort to the team, carrying out the captain’s role to perfection.
Chiefs have longed for such a figure in goal — someone who leads with aplomb. Since the days of peak Itumeleng Khune, they have lacked a goalkeeper who truly understands what it means to don the No 1 jersey for the club.
Petersen has come far to be where he is; arriving as an understudy to Khune and Daniel Akpeyi, he has since matured, and his leadership is evident in how he gets the best out of his teammates.
Chiefs started the game under a cloud of uncertainty. They momentarily abandoned their warm-up, being forced to return to the dressing room after a brawl between a club official and Pirates’ security heavily disrupted their preparations. Upon returning to the pitch, their focus must have been slightly disturbed, suggesting Pirates might walk over them, in a similar vein to the Bucs' 3-0 win in February.
But it wasn’t to be — largely due to Petersen.
The Chiefs No 1 kept his team in the game, his pre-match confidence and hard work clearly working in his favour. His heroics didn’t only sweeten the result but they must have also made Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos take further notice.
Broos bemoaned in the last Fifa window that had Petersen not been injured, he would have called him up. Sunday’s performance was certainly another reason why the Bafana mentor should include him in the national team, especially with the World Cup in June approaching. He didn’t only inspire Chiefs to a draw but also outshone his counterpart, Sipho Chaine.
The Pirates No 1 was dropped from the Bafana squad in the last window, putting his World Cup selection in jeopardy. While Chaine has matched a club record with 17 clean sheets this season, it remains to be seen if he has improved on the specific areas Broos highlighted.
On the other hand, ‘Beezer’ is ticking all the right boxes and endearingly himself to the Amakhosi faithful. He deserves to be rewarded with a plane ticket Mexico and the US for the World Cup.