MTN8: Fernando da Cruz Reacts to Brandon Petersen’s Error in Kaizer Chiefs’ Loss to Golden Arrows
- Kaizer Chiefs suffered a first-round MTN8 elimination at the hands of Lamontville Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Sunday
- Brandon Petersen's blunder in the 53rd minute directly led to the only goal of the match, scored by Khulekani Shezi
- Head coach Fernando Da Cruz broke his silence on Petersen's error and also addressed new signing Langelihle Phili's debut
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Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has come to the defence of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen after his costly error handed Golden Arrows a stunning MTN8 first-round victory at FNB Stadium on Sunday night.
Petersen's mistake in the 53rd minute proved decisive, as Khulekani Shezi punished the shotstopper by slotting the ball in at his near post to seal Amakhosi's exit from the competition.
The result extends Chiefs' wait for the MTN8 title, a trophy they last won during the 2014/15 season. The 15-time Wafa Wafa champions had only just returned to the competition after a two-year absence.
Da Cruz reacts to Petersen's shocking error
Da Cruz, speaking to SuperSport TV through a translator after the final whistle, acknowledged that Petersen had mishandled a cross but was adamant that the blame could not be placed on any single player.
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"I want to watch the goal again because I didn't watch it," the Frenchman said. "The player [Petersen] missed his cross and when we lose, it's all the team that loses. I don't want to say we lose because of one player."
Da Cruz's verdict on Phili's Chiefs debut
Attention also turned to new signing Langelihle Phili, who came off the bench in the second half to make his debut for the Soweto giants.
The winger, who completed his move from Stellenbosch FC earlier this week, made his first appearance for Chiefs, but Da Cruz was measured in his assessment, calling for patience with the newcomer.
"The mindset, the comfort of the player, nothing to say because we missed a lot of chances today. The score is unfortunately is the only one-goal change in the half, and after that we tried to come back, but we had a lack of efficiency there," the coach said.
On Phili's development specifically, Da Cruz kept his expectations tempered.
"They are coming into the team step-by-step; Phili needs to work physically again a little bit and to understand also our modern game, but they will come step-by-step," he added.
Chiefs will not have much time to regroup following Sunday's disappointment, with a Betway Premiership fixture against Sekhukhune United scheduled for Wednesday already demanding their focus.
Kaizer Chiefs star dedicates MOTM to grandmother
Briefly News earlier reported that a Kaizer Chiefs star has dedicated his Man of the Match award against Kruger United to his grandmother in Cape Town.
The Glamour Boys player also explained the reason behind the emotional moment he had with Kaizer Motaung Jr. at the end of the match.
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Source: Briefly News
