Kaizer Chiefs Accused of Contributing to Brandon Petersen’s Recent Mistakes

• • Brandon Petersen's dip in form has raised questions about a key staffing decision made by Kaizer Chiefs at the start of the season
• • Former Chiefs goalkeeper William Shongwe pointed to the departure of popular goalkeeper trainer Ilyes Mzoughi as a contributing factor
• • Petersen managed 18 clean sheets last season and was central to Chiefs' best league finish in six years, but has recorded just one this term

Kaizer Chiefs are facing criticism over a coaching staff decision that former goalkeeper William Shongwe believes has directly contributed to Brandon Petersen's troubled start to the new season.

Petersen, who was arguably the club's standout performer last season, has managed only one clean sheet in six league appearances this term. His errors against Golden Arrows and Richards Bay proved costly for Amakhosi, placing him under mounting scrutiny.

**Mzoughi's Departure Raises Eyebrows**

Shongwe has pointed to the club's decision not to retain goalkeeper trainer Ilyes Mzoughi as a significant factor behind Petersen's declining performances. The Tunisian coach departed Naturena alongside co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef and was not kept on by incoming head coach Fernando da Cruz.

It was during Mzoughi's second year at the club that Petersen's game reached new heights, producing world-class saves that put him in contention for a Bafana Bafana call-up.

"Obviously now people will start looking at the coach [Ilyes Mzoughi] and say maybe he was good for him," Shongwe told FARPost. "Yes, without a doubt [Da Cruz should have kept Mzoughi]. I actually thought they were going to keep him. I would have kept him because you can see he has a good relationship with the goalkeepers, and there was a good understanding there."

**Chiefs Questioned Over Coaching Call**

Shongwe acknowledged that incoming coaches often prefer to work with their own staff but maintained that Mzoughi's track record with the Chiefs goalkeepers warranted an exception.

"It's a pity, obviously, that he didn't stay. For sure, Chiefs should have been kept. Keeping him would have been [ideal], unless the new head coach had other ideas. You know, when these coaches come, they want to bring their own staff."

Petersen is now working under goalkeeper trainer Olivier Sorin, though the early signs of their partnership suggest the transition is still a work in progress.

Last season, Petersen's 18 league clean sheets were instrumental in Chiefs finishing third in the standings, their best league result in six years.

Source: Briefly News