World Cup boost for Kaizer Chiefs star? Bafana coach makes big admission

Published on by

World Cup boost for Kaizer Chiefs star? Bafana coach makes big admission
Bradley Cross, Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma of Kaizer Chiefs. Image - Kaizer Chiefs

Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos has admitted that he would have had Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen in his squad had he not been injured.

Petersen has been one of the most impressive players not just for Chiefs but in the PSL this season after keeping 11 clean sheets in the Premier Soccer League before his injury last month.

The Chiefs stopper had to undergo emergency surgery just days before the Soweto Derby which Amakhosi lost 3-0 with reports indicating that he will be out until after the upcoming international break.

Brandon Petersen of Kaizer Chiefs could get World Cup boost.
Brandon Petersen of Kaizer Chiefs could get World Cup boost. Image – Kaizer Chiefs

While unveiling his final squad for friendly matches against Panama in Durban on March 27 and in Cape Town on March 31, Broos admitted he has been impressed by Petersen and would have liked to assess him this month before his injury setback.

Bafana coach on Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper

“I think, if Brandon was not injured he would’ve been with us… Yes,” Broos said on SABC as quoted by iDiski Times.

The Bafana boss went with first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Siwelele FC’s Ricardo Goos with Sekhukhune United’s Renaldo Leaner getting the nod ahead of Orlando Pirates No.1 Sipho Chaine in what was one of his surprise moves.

Bafana goalkeepers Veli Mothwa, Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss.
Bafana goalkeepers Veli Mothwa, Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss. Photo: SAFA

“Everybody has to be worried when they don’t perform and I don’t say that Sipho is not performing,” Broos said when asked about the exclusion of Chaine. “But everybody has to be worried. It’s not a charity, it’s something that is very serious.”

Broos then went into details regarding the decision to include Leaner in his squad for the two friendly matches.

Competition for World Cup slots to heat up

“And again, Leaner, I want to see him, I want to see him with us. I want to see him at the camp because it’s not only on the pitch but also outside the pitch and we will see,” he added.

“I think Leaner is always on the list of the preliminary squad and I think it was a good occasion now to get him with us. He was already with us a few months ago, but I want to see him again and we will see what that gives.”

Broos’ admission is good news for Petersen who can force his way into the Bafana Bafana setup ahead of the World Cup with competition for slots set to be fierce.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

You May Also Like