Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen says the club’s renewed focus on defending as a team could make the difference this season.
The Soweto giants made a strong defensive statement last weekend, keeping a clean sheet in their victory over Stellenbosch FC.
It’s a stark contrast to last season, when Chiefs conceded 32 goals in 28 league matches – a weakness Petersen believes cost them valuable points.
“They always say that your defence can win you championships,” Petersen told the media this past week.
“From the start of pre-season until now, you can see a difference in the way we’re defending – not just our defenders, but as a team. There’s more urgency when we don’t have the ball.”
The 30-year-old shot-stopper highlighted that the work being done without the ball has been a key focus area under the current setup.
Chiefs have been pressing higher, closing down opponents quicker, and staying compact when under pressure – a collective effort Petersen says has improved the synergy and understanding among the players.
“Clean sheets are obviously what we want as goalkeepers and defenders, but the most important thing is the three points,” he explained.
“It’s about being a solid unit overall. In the past, this has let us down, but I think we’ve flipped the switch in terms of our responsibilities without the ball.”
With Polokwane City visiting FNB Stadium on Wednesday, 20 August, Amakhosi will be aiming for their third straight victory – and Petersen believes that if they maintain their defensive discipline, they could be on course for a much stronger campaign.