Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper coach Ilyez Mzoughi believes supporters were too critical of the club’s goalkeepers last season, but the numbers still show there is plenty of room for improvement between the sticks.
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While Bruce Bvuma, Brandon Petersen, and Fiacre Ntwari all had standout moments in a frustrating campaign, Chiefs ultimately finished ninth on the DStv Premiership table, conceding 39 goals in 30 matches across the league season.
The numbers tell a story of their own:
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Bruce Bvuma: 23 appearances, 8 clean sheets, 23 goals conceded
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Fiacre Ntwari: 7 appearances, 1 clean sheet, 11 goals conceded
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Brandon Petersen: 5 appearances, 1 clean sheet, 5 goals conceded
“It was a tough season, not only for the goalkeepers, but for the whole team,” Mzoughi said via the club’s official website.
“We were unlucky with some injuries and suspensions of our defenders, which affected the goalies in particular, and the team in general.”
The coach also pointed to individual performances.
“Overall, I feel that all our goalkeepers made various excellent saves throughout the season, such as Bruce’s magnificent save against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semis or Brandon’s mature performance in the final.”
The choice to start Petersen in the Nedbank Cup final surprised many supporters, given Bvuma had been in solid form. But Mzoughi provided context.
“It was indeed a tough decision. Bruce had a bit of a lingering calf injury. He wasn’t 100% fit.
“Brandon was working and training tremendously hard and, despite not having played a competitive match in seven months, I asked him: ‘Are you ready to play a game?’ He looked at me and answered: ‘I am ready!’ The rest is history.”
Mzoughi acknowledged the pressure of playing for a club of Chiefs’ stature but urged fans to support the players.
“Our supporters can be very demanding, and rightly so, as we are a big club. But I do feel that they were at times too critical of our goalkeepers. We must be realistic and support them. It’s important that our fans give our goalies love, irrespective of who is in goal, as we are one family.”
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