Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen is gaining an unwanted reputation among the club's supporters and his latest costly error that led to the loss against TS Galaxy, may trigger a reaction from the club.
Petersen divided opinion about his capabilities in goal after he made great one-on-one saves against Mamelodi Sundowns but then let the team down when least expected, after he conceded a soft goal in stoppage time, letting a tame shot slip through his hands that led to a 2-1 defeat.
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The former Bidvest Wits shot-stopper made another big mistake that led to the Glamour Boys losing all three points against the Rockets after he was beaten at the near post, where a shot hit the post and he pushed it into the back of the net trying to make a save.
Petersen, as was the case against the Brazilians, went on to make great saves to deny the Rockets to win by an ever bigger margin.
However, the 28-year-old's errors are becoming glaring and for a club as big as Chiefs, there should be a concern.
The Soweto giants were linked with Richards Bay goalkeeper Salim Magoola last season but it seems after they gave veteran shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune one more year on his contract, they felt secure in that department for at least another season.
However, the Glamour Boys may need an experienced goalkeeper urgently, to provide competition to Petersen especially since Khune is not expected to play a lot of matches in his final season as a player, as he is being prepared for non-playing roles at the club.
Petersen has made outstanding saves in losses against Sundowns and the Rockets but when playing for a team of Chiefs' calibre, it is not good enough to undo all the work with mistakes that cost the team points.
Renowned agent Mike Makaab believes a club as big as Chiefs needs a goalkeeper that can save them at least 15 points in a season.
"Sadly again a goalkeeping error, he got off his feet too early. Unfortunate for Brandon because against Mamelodi Sundowns, he had a terrific game but made two basic errors," Makaab said on Gagasi FM.
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"I remember Peter Schmeichel at Manchester United, when the team was under massive pressure, he stood between them and defeat or them throwing away a lead and that's what you expect from a goalkeeper in a top team.
"We see it with top teams in the world where a goalkeeper plays a massive part in the result," he added.
The Brazilians' shot-stopper Ronwen Williams does not get involved a lot in stopping shots because Masandawana always dominate possession, but in the moments he is required, he makes crucial saves that saves the team points, such is the tough job for a goalkeeper at a big club.
Chiefs have to start exploring options for an experienced or quality goalkeeper, because their other option Bruce Bvuma has also suffered from costly errors, when he and Petersen alternated in goal last season.
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