Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen has explained why he believes Kaizer Chiefs will be an improved team in the 25/26 campaign, after a ninth-place finish last season.
The Soweto giant lost out on the Toyota Cup for a second consecutive year when they were beaten in their pre-season clash against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko after the visitors won 4-3 on penalties.
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The defeat has set some alarm bells ringing for sections of Amahposi supporters, as Chiefs also started the previous campaign in a similar defeat, losing to Tanzanian champions Young Africans in the Toyota Cup.
The Glamour Boys went on to finish ninth on the Betway Premiership in a disastrous campaign, where only the Nedbank Cup provided some solace.
Goalkeeper Petersen, though, has assured the Amakhosi faithful that the campaign ahead will be better than last.
"I think 100% [we have improved]. If you compare last season, like from the start of pre-season to the start of this pre-season," Petersen said on SABC Sport after Saturday's match.
"Last season, it was new coaches, new technical team, new ideals and all of that. It was not being 100% sure of what we want to do, where we want to be and where we are supposed to be.
"But I think this season, starting from the pre-season, people can see that there is so much more trust.
"More understanding of the game play. Knowing what we want to do, and I think the main part is understanding the role and responsibility within the system.
"I think this season, you can see that the guys are understanding that. That gives us the confidence to be able to stick to the game plan to do what we can do and show the people that this is what we have been working on.
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"I know for a fact that from here we are just going to get better because - yes, there are still a few things that need to be fixed in the build-up, but you can see there is so much improvement and progress.
"So definitely for sure this season, you will see us more confident, playing from the back and obviously sustaining attacks and keeping he ball."
Photo: Gallo Images/ Darren Stewart
