Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has revealed the latest on club captain Brandon Petersen. The 31-year-old goalkeeper has enjoyed an impressive campaign, playing a key role for Amakhosi with 11 clean sheets in 16 league appearances.
However, just days before the Soweto Derby in February, which Chiefs lost 3-0, Petersen underwent surgery. Since then, he has missed the club’s last five league matches. Bruce Bvuma has stepped up in his absence, while Takalani Mazhamba has provided cover on the bench.
Rwanda international Fiacre Ntwari is also sidelined after undergoing surgery last month, further depleting Chiefs’ goalkeeping options.
Speaking after Chiefs’ 3-1 victory over Orbit College at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Youssef provided an update on when the captain could return to action. The result saw the Soweto giants climb to third place, following AmaZulu’s 2-2 draw with Sekhukhune United at home.
The win marked Chiefs’ third successive victory, a strong response after a run of four matches without a win. That poor spell saw them eliminated from both the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup, leaving a third-place league finish as their most realistic route back into CAF interclub competition next season.
YOUSSEF’S UPDATE ON PETERSEN
“Petersen, he was with the physio,” explained Youssef. “And we have to say thank you to the medical staff for preparing him. And last week he was with the coaches, he’s working, and I think soon he’ll be back with the team.”
Meanwhile, Youssef also confirmed a new injury setback ahead of the next fixture against TS Galaxy. Amakhosi face The Rockets on Sunday at the FNB Stadium.
“Let me say 90% of our injury it was due to contact in the game. So, we were unlucky. Every game, we will miss one player or two players, but like I said to you, 80% of our injuries are about contact. It’s bad luck,” explained Ben Youssef.
He further revealed that Dillan Solomons, who started the 2-0 victory over Magesi, had been ruled out through injury. “If you look at the last few games, some people have discussed the inconsistency in the squad, but like today, the two substitutions we made were Miguel because it was about a yellow card and Solomons because of an injury.”
The former Moroka Swallows right back, Solomons, has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring a goal. “Let me say every week we are forced to make substitutions coming from yellow card or injury. But I have to say thank you for the board that we have a big squad. So, every time one player is not here, there is another player he comes and to make the same job. We have a big squad, and everyone is ready, he has to fight, to continue to play or to keep his position.”
Youssef and Cedric Kaze turned to Thabiso Monyane on Monday, and the former Orlando Pirates full-back did not disappoint. They also have Reeve Frosler, who has recovered from injury, was on the bench.
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