STEPPING UP

IT HAS BEEN A ROCKY RIDE FOR GOALKEEPER BRANDON PETERSEN AT KAIZER CHIEFS, BUT NEDBANK CUP SUCCESS BRINGS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

- By Mazola Molefe

When Gavin Hunt took over at Kaizer Chiefs to replace Ernst Middendorp, he targeted a goalkeeper that would immediately step in to succeed Itumeleng Khune between the sticks.

Asked for his first choice in drawing up a shortlist, Hunt named Brandon Petersen as the clear favourite having worked with the player at Bidvest Wits.

The Clever Boys had just sold their topflight franchise, paving the way for the serial winning coach to move to Naturena and the same went for the high-profile names that had no interest in relocating to Limpopo.

But the challenge was that Petersen had finished off the 2019/20 season injured with a diagnosis that he would be sidelined for at least six months.

Hunt insisted that he be offered a contract anyway and Chiefs clinched the deal on a free transfer. This allowed the goalie to continue his recovery and rehabilitation at Naturena for the rest of the year.

It helped that the Glamour Boys had a transfer ban at the time, so Petersen would have ample time to work his way back to full fitness without any pressure or being rushed to take over from Khune.