Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen has opened up on getting the nod to start in the Nedbank Cup final and 'breaking the curse' as Kaizer Chiefs lifted their first title in 10 years.
Petersen was handed his first start between the posts since December 2024 in what, for most, was a surprise decision from head coach Nasreddine Nabi.
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The gamble worked as Amakhosi walked away 2-1 winners in a cup final played at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium. Gaston Sirino had opened the scoring from the penalty spot early on before Evidence Makgopa levelled matters seven minutes later.
It took a venomous volley from Yusuf Maart to settle the tie with just under 20 minutes left on the clock.
Speaking to media after the match, Petersen spoke candidly on what it meant to get the nod for the final and end the 10-year drought.
"And coming in, it's a huge responsibility, but it also showed me to believe that they (coaches) had in me. We do a lot of hard work, and our goalkeeping department got a lot of stick over the last couple of weeks," Petersen said.
"We were under a lot of pressure, and for me to be granted the opportunity to play was a huge honour and blessing for me, and to win the trophy is a dream come true."
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"I've been here for four years now, and we've been hunting for a trophy every season. I know we've made a lot of promises in the past, and I think we can finally tick that off, we broke the curse 10 years later," the shotstopper added.
"And I mean, the guys did phenomenally well to give me the confidence coming in, I haven't played a lot this season, so coming into a final, there was always going to be that pressure.
"I mean, playing for Chiefs is pressure, but the pressure is a privilege, and I think today we showed up and we wanted it more. This one was for the Chairman [Kaizer Motaung], our families and all the sacrifices they've made, and all our wonderful supporters."
