Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Joseph ‘Banks’ Setlhodi has aired his opinion on the topical subject of Brandon Petersen’s continued snubbing from Bafana Bafana.
The current Amakhosi number one is in top form, keeping eight clean sheets in 14 games across all competitions this season. He boasts of the highest games without conceding in the Betway Premiership, avoiding being breached seven times.
That has earned him the Chiefs’ armband after starting the season behind Zitha Kwinika and Inacio Miguel in the captains’ committee at Naturena.
However, the 31-year-old goalminder has failed to attract the attention of Bafana coach Hugo Broos and his goalkeeper trainer Grant Johnson. That has created a major talking point, amid calls from some quarters, for Petersen to be considered for national duty.
But Broos has stuck with South Africa captain Ronwen Williams as his number one. Williams is deputised by Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Chaine and Siwelele FC shot-stopper Ricardo Goss, on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns.
What could suggest that Petersen is not anywhere near Broos’ mind is that the Chiefs skipper did not even appear in the provisional squad for the recent international friendly match against Zambia.
Instead, Sekhukhune’s Renaldo Leaner and AmaZulu FC keeper Darren Johnson featured on the preliminary selection.
SHOULD CHIEFS CAPTAIN PETERSEN BE INCLUDED IN THE BAFANA SQUAD?
“That is a tricky one because it all depends on coach Hugo Broos. It’s all about his choice and what he feels is best for the national team,” Setlhodi told FARPost.
“Yes, Petersen is in good form, no doubt about that, but Broos will tell you that the guys he is selecting are doing well. It’s a matter of why fix what is not broken?
“We all say Petersen should be called up to the national team, but it is all up to Broos. He will say the ones he has are giving him what he wants.
“But yes, it’s obvious Petersen is playing well for Chiefs and is doing well. He just has to keep on working hard. This should not discourage him; hard work pays off. There is still a lot to play for.”
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