“He Was In Hospital”: Broos Reveals Why Petersen Missed March Internationals
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has reiterated that Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen would have been included in the squad in March had it not been for injury.
His remarks follow Petersen’s outstanding performance in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Petersen’s efforts did not go unnoticed, as he was named Man of the Match after a superb display that secured a valuable point for his side.
The statistics further highlight his impact. Pirates registered 12 shots, including eight on target, and created the majority of the chances. However, they were limited to just one goal, largely due to Petersen’s brilliance and his ability to make crucial saves at key moments.
Broos was in attendance at FNB Stadium alongside his assistant coach, Helman Mkhalele.
The former Bidvest Wits goalkeeper has been remarkably consistent this season. In 19 league matches, Petersen has kept 13 clean sheets, underlining his importance and reliability for Chiefs.
Petersen missed the March international friendlies against Panama due to an appendix operation.
In his absence, Renaldo Leaner was called up but made a costly error in the second match, parrying the ball back into play, which led to Bafana conceding in a 2–1 defeat.
It proved to be a missed opportunity for Leaner, while Sipho Chaine—who was included in the Africa Cup of Nations squad in Morocco—was left out as an understudy.
Broos confirmed that Petersen would have been part of the squad had he been fit.
“I think everyone knows that if Petersen had not been injured—he had an appendix operation—he would have been with us in March,” Broos said on MSW with Robert Marawa on Tuesday.
“But I couldn’t call him because he was in hospital.”
Broos also acknowledged that Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams remains a guaranteed selection, meaning there is strong competition for the remaining goalkeeping spots ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
If Petersen maintains his current form, he could well secure a place on the plane to North America.
Bafana will open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a Group A match against co-hosts Mexico on 11 June, before facing South Korea and Denmark.
