Kaizer Chiefs' goalkeeping coach Ilyes Mzoughi has explained the decision to start Brandon Petersen in the final of the Nedbank Cup, ahead of Bruce Bvuma, who had played the majority of matches leading up to the final.
For all the disappointment of finishing ninth last season and consequently missing out on the 25/26 MTN8, Amakhosi can draw pride in winning the Nedbank Cup title that ended what was turning into an embarrassing 10-year trophy drought.
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One of the major surprises in the team that played the final was that of Bvuma being dropped for Petersen, whose appearance in the final would be just his third appearance of the season.
"It was indeed a tough decision. Bruce had a bit of a lingering calf injury. He wasn’t 100% fit," Mzoughi said via the club's website when reflecting on the decision.
"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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Chiefs are currently in the Netherlands, where they have set up camp for their pre-season preparations. The Soweto giants will return to South African soil on 19 July, in time for their Toyota Cup clash against Asante Kotoko.
Photo: Gallo Images/Philip Maeta
