Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has weighed in on calls for goalkeeper Brandon Petersen to be selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 31-year-old shot-stopper has shown tremendous improvement this season, keeping 18 clean sheets in 35 matches across all competitions.
He scooped the Man of the Match accolade in Amakhosi’s 1-0 win over AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Kaze stated that while he does not want to interfere with Hugo Broos’ selection decisions, he firmly believes Petersen deserves a call-up given his exceptional consistency and the qualities he has demonstrated this season.
“I don’t want to comment on the call up or not call up because we are going to know soon enough and a national team coach is an experienced coach that knows what he wants for his team,” said Kaze.
“And as well we need to let him choose the players that he wants in a very transparent way.
“I just wish to see Brendon Petersen going to the World Cup because he deserves it by the qualities that he has shown and as well the consistency that he has shown throughout the season.”
Asked what has changed about Petersen this season, Kaze noted that the former Bidvest Wits shot-stopper has benefited from regular playing time in this campaign.
He also commended Petersen’s positive attitude, highlighting his strong character as a human being off the pitch before even considering his qualities as a football player.
“I would say that what has changed as well is first is the number of minutes because he didn’t play much last season,” he added.
“He played in the final of the Nedbank Cup, this season he got a lot of time and as well he is a player that works hard, he trains every day with the same attitude, with the same energy and I would like to say to the players that good things happen to good people.
“He is a player with tremendous human being qualities before being a player and I am very happy that this is happening to him, and he deserves everything that is happening to him.”
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