Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi questions quality of goalkeepers linked with Amakhosi
Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi has cast serious doubt on the quality of the two goalkeepers linked with the club for the 2024/25 PSL season.
Amakhosi are reportedly scouring the market for a new goalkeeper to solidify their position between the sticks as Itumeleng Khune’s future in Naturena is uncertain. Khune, who spent over a decade at Chiefs, will see his contract come to an end in June 2024.
The ex-Bafana Bafana goalkeeper has missed most of the 2023/24 season due to disciplinary issues. He allegedly arrived for training at the Kaizer Chiefs Village under the influence of alcohol late in 2023. He was suspended by Chiefs last year and stripped of the captaincy, which resulted in him making only five appearances in all competitions.
In the 36-year-old goalie’s absence, Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma shared the responsibilities between the sticks. However, the duo has struggled with consistency, while Bontle Molefe remains a young and unproven fourth-choice.
Petersen was the preferred choice in the first round of the campaign, but he has been relegated to the bench after committing a handful of costly mistakes. He played 11 matches in all competitions and conceded 10 goals while keeping four clean sheets.
On the other hand, Bvuma has 17 appearances under his belt, but he has also failed to impress after conceding 17 goals.
WHO ARE THE GOALKEEPERS BRIAN BALOYI IS DOUBTING?
The poor performances by both Bvuma and Petersen have seen Chiefs being linked with Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Salim Magoola of Richards Bay FC.
However, Baloyi is not impressed with Nwabali and Magoola and questions whether they are better than the goalkeepers currently in the books of Chiefs.
“The biggest problem at Chiefs right now is that they could be linked with any goalkeeper, but the problem is scouting the right players, not only goalkeepers,” Baloyi told FARPost.
“You can see a goalkeeper playing well at Chippa United, and he goes to Chiefs; it’s a different beast. You have supporters who are very demanding and vocal. So you can’t bring a goalkeeper where there’s so much pressure to win things [silverware].
“So you have to do a proper assessment because the most important part of playing for Kaizer Chiefs is character. And when I look at the goalkeepers you are talking about [Nwabali and Magoola], I don’t think they better than what we [Chiefs] have right now.”
Nwabali and Magoola have been impressive for their clubs this season. Nwabali even earned a starting spot for Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON tournament held in Ivory Coast.
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