Petersen Opens Up On Reconnecting With New Chiefs Keeper

Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen believes the arrival of Renaldo Leaner will strengthen the club’s goalkeeping department, insisting healthy competition will push every goalkeeper to improve ahead of the new Betway Premiership season.

Leaner recently joined Amakhosi following his departure from Sekhukhune United, where he established himself as one of the league’s top goalkeepers and earned an opportunity to represent Bafana Bafana.

The experienced shot-stopper became the sixth goalkeeper in Chiefs’ senior setup, joining Petersen, Bruce Bvuma, Bontle Molefe, Fiacre Ntwari, who has since joined Kruger United on loan, and youngster Takalani Mazhamba, who is currently with the club’s reserve side.

Leaner has already enjoyed significant game time during Chiefs’ preseason tour of Spain, featuring prominently in friendly matches as head coach Fernando Da Cruz continues to assess his squad ahead of the new campaign.

The former Sekhukhune United goalkeeper could also be in action on Sunday when Amakhosi take on Zimbabwean outfit Scottland in the Toyota Cup.

Speaking about Leaner’s arrival, Petersen admitted he is excited to reunite with someone he has known since their school days and believes the new signing has earned his opportunity at Naturena through hard work and determination.

“I think it’s a good signing for the team,” Petersen said.

“Also, Renaldo is a phenomenal goalkeeper. I’ve known him since we were very young. I was his head boy at high school, and we’ve always had a good relationship.

“It has been great for me to see how he has grown as a goalkeeper, coming from Ajax as well, and how he fought his way back into the PSL to be where he is today.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for him as well. And I think, for us as a goalkeeping department, competition is good.

“I don’t mind competition. If we can push each other to be the best, it doesn’t matter who gets the nod on the day; we’ll be able to perform and do well. So, exciting times. I’m looking forward to working with him throughout the season, and I know he’s going to do phenomenally well.”

The 31-year-old also spoke positively about new goalkeeping coach Olivier Sorin, who joined the club after Amakhosi parted ways with Ilyes Mzoughi at the end of last season.

Petersen said every coach brings different ideas and methods, but Sorin has already made a strong impression within the goalkeeping department.

“Goalkeeper coaches, or coaches in general, everyone has their own style, philosophy and things they believe in,” he added.

“So far, it has been great working with Coach Ollie. He came in and immediately made himself feel at home.

“There wasn’t any settling-in period or anything like that. The goalkeepers have responded very well to his training sessions, the workload and everything that comes with it.

“It has been very positive. We’ve been enjoying it, and we’re looking forward to a successful season as a goalkeeping department.”

With Leaner settling in quickly, a new goalkeeping coach implementing fresh ideas and fierce competition developing among the club’s goalkeepers, Chiefs will hope their strengthened goalkeeping department provides a solid foundation as they chase success in the 2026/27 season.