Kwinika Defends Petersen After Errors And Praises Maboe Impact

Kaizer Chiefs vice-captain Zitha Kwinika has thrown his full support behind goalkeeper and captain Brandon Petersen, insisting the experienced shot-stopper cannot be blamed for the team’s costly mistakes this season.

Petersen has come under scrutiny at Naturena after making a number of costly errors during the opening weeks of the 2026/27 campaign. Of the five matches Amakhosi have played in all competitions this season, the goalkeeper has kept just one clean sheet, which came against Sekhukhune United.

The Chiefs captain has also made costly mistakes in three of those five matches, with his errors proving particularly damaging against Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-final and in league encounters against Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay.

The scrutiny comes after Petersen enjoyed a strong campaign last season, when his performances earned him a nomination for the Betway Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season award.

However, Kwinika believes the goalkeeper deserves the support of his teammates rather than being singled out for his mistakes, stressing that football is a collective sport in which every player has a role to play.

“I think errors are part of football,” he said.

“I stand with Biza (Brandon Petersen) any day. He’s our leader. He’s a big boy. He understands where he is. I think it’s one of those seasons where it happens.

“It can rain now. Tomorrow, the sun will shine again, and we’ll all be happy. So, I’ll never dwell on what happened, whoever it was, because, at the end of the day, I think we all contribute to whatever happens.

“Whatever happens, if someone can kick the ball into the net, it means someone else didn’t close down enough. So, it can’t always be on Biza. It’s a team effort. All of us contribute to that.

“So, I think it’s just about us doing what we need to do. If I need to mark my person, defend, or, for me personally, clear the ball, we all need to do that and then take accountability for it.

“It can’t be a one-person issue or whatever contributes to the results, because I can count games where Biza saved us so much.

“So, I’ll never dwell on that. I’ll just emphasise the good things he’s done and what he’s capable of doing, and I know he will definitely do it.”

While Petersen has attracted attention for his mistakes, Kwinika also highlighted the positive influence of another experienced player who has made an impression since arriving at Naturena.

Lebohang Maboe has made a strong start since joining Chiefs, and Kwinika believes the midfielder’s winning mentality is already benefiting the club’s younger players.

“I think it’s nice being in such situations where, 12 years ago, we just had a team to be in the first team,” he added.

“So now, when we’re here, it gives you a sense that, I think, we worked hard, but having the opportunity to maybe share the same changing room with Lebo again after he has left and won so many things.

“So, you can sense it. You can relate in terms of him being a winner. He knows what winning is, how to win, and you can take as much as you can from him in terms of the good part of that.

“Also, for the young ones, when he speaks the language of winning, they understand where he has been, who he is, and what he has won.

“So, I think that also contributes in terms of saying the person has been there, and he helps the young ones a lot, to be honest.

“And I think he’s a very, very good addition to the team.”

Chiefs will now turn their attention to Sunday’s Betway Premiership encounter against Siwelele, with Amakhosi set to welcome their opponents at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.

The match could provide Petersen with an opportunity to respond to the criticism surrounding his recent performances and remind supporters of the qualities that earned him recognition last season.

At the same time, Maboe will be looking to continue making his contribution to the team, with his experience and winning mentality expected to remain valuable in a Chiefs squad featuring several young players.