Brandon Petersen: Bafana coach explains why he dropped Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed that a lack of familiarity with Brandon Petersen’s personality, rather than his on-field ability, was the deciding factor in leaving the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper out of the final FIFA World Cup squad.

Petersen, who was named in the preliminary selection, was a notable omission when Broos announced his definitive roster. The coach ultimately selected Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss of Siwelele FC, and the returning Sipho Chaine from Orlando Pirates as his three goalkeepers.

Broos explained that with little to separate the goalkeepers on talent, his choice came down to group dynamics and how well he knew the players as individuals.

Bafana coach on Petersen’s exclusion

“First of all, we tried to have a certain balance in the selection,” Broos stated as per Soccer Laduma. “That’s also the reason why Petersen is not with us. Petersen was only with us for two days, so I know Petersen as a goalkeeper… but I don’t know Brandon as a human being.”

The coach emphasised the limited time he had to assess how Petersen would fit into the team environment, especially under the high-pressure conditions of a World Cup.

Difficult goalkeeping decision from Broos

“When you look at the quality of those guys, you can’t choose because they are the same quality,” he continued. “For me, it was the integration… In those two days, you can’t know how he will react when he doesn’t play, or his reaction to whatever. And that made me choose not to take Brandon. It’s not a question of quality. It’s just the integration.”

The decision comes as a blow to Petersen, who was a standout performer for Kaizer Chiefs this season. The shot-stopper had a remarkable campaign, keeping 15 clean sheets in 24 Betway Premiership appearances, but his impressive club form was not enough to secure his ticket to Mexico with the national team.