Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson has urged supporters and coaches to look beyond individual mistakes when assessing the performances of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen.
Petersen has faced criticism during the current campaign after a number of errors contributed to goals conceded by Amakhosi. However, Johnson, who worked with the goalkeeper during his time at Chiefs, believes it is too simplistic to place the responsibility entirely on the shot-stopper.
Johnson highlights Chiefs’ defensive structure
Johnson argues that analysing a goalkeeper’s performance requires a closer look at what is happening in front of him.
The former Chiefs coach pointed to the roles played by defenders and midfielders, as well as the instructions being given across the team, when assessing how goals are conceded.
He said coaches need to examine whether goals come from open play, set pieces, counter-attacks or situations where the opposition breaks through several lines before reaching the goalkeeper.
According to Johnson, those details can provide important context before deciding where responsibility lies.
‘There are a lot of variables’
Johnson also questioned what happens when a team commits players forward and subsequently leaves space for opponents to counter-attack.
In such situations, he believes the team’s rest-defence structure must also be considered rather than automatically attributing the goal to the goalkeeper.
His comments come as Petersen continues his recovery from an injury sustained during training.
Chiefs announced earlier in September that the goalkeeper had been sidelined, with Renaldo Leaner stepping in during his absence.
When could Petersen return?
Petersen was expected to be out for up to six weeks, leaving Chiefs with a decision to make once the FIFA international break concludes.
Whether the club’s captain returns straight into the starting XI remains to be seen, particularly with Leaner having an opportunity to stake his claim in goal.
For Johnson, however, the debate should extend beyond simply changing goalkeepers. His comments suggest that Chiefs’ defensive organisation and the circumstances surrounding each goal should also form part of the assessment.
The question now is whether Petersen will reclaim his place once he is fit — and whether Chiefs can improve the defensive structure in front of whoever gets the nod.
