Former Chiefs coach identifies what is behind Petersen’s improved form

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Calvin Johnson has pointed out what is behind the good form of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen this season.

Petersen has kept seven clean sheets from 11 league games so far this term, already equaling the club’s tally of last season, and this has contributed to their decent start to their campaign as they are third on the log with 22 points, three behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and with a game in hand.

The Glamour Boys have been hard to beat with Petersen also pulling off some fine saves as the last line of defence but Johnson feels it is not just down to the goalkeeper but what is in front of him.

Calvin Johnson lauds Petersen

“I’m not surprised, I think Brandon is a very good goalkeeper. When you play for Chiefs, it’s a different kettle of fish and he has proven to be a typical Chiefs player now, able to keep clean sheets,” Johnson told Soccer Laduma.

“(Goalkeeper) Bruce Bvuma, when I was there, he also had clean-sheets, eight or nine clean-sheets, but the problem was we were not scoring goals. Bruce was also good.

“But (the difference) is when you’re keeping clean-sheets, you’ve got to have a good line of defence in front of you, and maybe that’s very good for him, because, if you look at it, how many major saves has he made? You’ve got to look at those things,” added Johnson, insisting that Petersen cannot take glory alone as he has had a great defence in front of him.

Can Chiefs keeper maintain top form?

“But yes, he has always been a good goalkeeper, and so is Bruce. The problem (was) what was in front of them? A goalkeeper is always just as strong as his defence. If his defence is strong, he will make sure that he also plays his part.”

Petersen has been first-choice this season after falling down the pecking order last term, when Fiacre Ntwari started in goal before Bruce Bvuna took over for most of the campaign.

The goalkeeper has also benefited from an improved defence marshaled by captain Inacio Miguel who has partnered either Aden McCarthy or Zitha Kwinika at centre-back.