Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki jumped to the defence of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen once more after a costly error during their 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8.
However, Molefi Ntseki also said that Petersen should have done better as Chiefs were knocked out of the MTN8 in the semi-final stage by Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Tshwane giants won the two-legged semi-final clash 3-2 as the first leg ended 1-1 at FNB Stadium. In the return leg, Peter Shalulile scored a brace for Sundowns, while Chiefs attacker Ashley Du Preez was on target.
Petersen had a bad day in the office, and the fans were on his back, booing him whenever he touched the ball throughout the game.
In the opening minute of the match, the Chiefs goalie failed to clear a back pass, and Shalulile pressed and scored from an awkward angle.
Brandon Petersen has a history of making costly mistakes against Sundowns, including one last month in a 2-1 defeat in a DStv Premiership. “I think we have had moments like this before. I normally say we look at the last mistake; in this case, when we talk of Brandon, that mistake started somewhere,” said Ntseki.
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“The mistake can always be technical or tactical, and a mistake can also be mental because if you look at the situation when we started it was more of a tactical ploy.
“But we knew they would put us under pressure and I think in addressing that situation, he could have done better. However, he’s fully aware that it was our tactical ploy that didn’t work on the day.
“And if it was a tactical ploy it’s not his mistake. It’s a mistake that we made all of us, and we own up. But the most important thing with Brandon, I think he’s a leader and a very strong person.
And I think even with us, we are not looking at it to say it was your mistake.”