Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen has expressed confidence ahead of Saturday's 186th Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium. Despite being eight points behind Pirates in the league standings, Petersen believes the season is still long and his team can close the gap. Chiefs are currently fifth on the table with 14 points, while Pirates are second with 22 points and have a game in hand over league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Petersen emphasized that his team will focus on fighting until the end of the season to achieve their goals. "For me the season is still very long if you look at it and you fight until the end," he said. "It doesn’t matter what the gap is and what the gap looks like now." He added that a win against Pirates would be crucial in closing the gap, but it would not be a defining moment in the season.
The Soweto derby is a highly anticipated match between two of South Africa's biggest football clubs. Chiefs have had a mixed season so far, with Petersen facing criticism for a series of costly errors in recent games. However, the captain has insisted that he is not defined by negative criticism and is focused on his team's performance.
Petersen was under fire a few weeks ago amid a series of costly errors that prevented Amakhosi from winning some crucial games. However, he has since bounced back and is confident in his abilities. "I think the most important thing for me is to know that those words and negative stuff going around doesn’t define me as a person, as a footballer, because I’m much more than that," he said.
The Kaizer Chiefs skipper emphasized the importance of knowing one's worth and staying focused on the team's goals. "Like I said, it’s important to know who you are and what you stand for. When you get that right, nothing else that’s happening around you really fazes you, but it doesn’t really buckle you or it’s not really an obstacle in the road," he said.
Orlando Pirates are currently second in the league standings, just a point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. They also have a game in hand over Sundowns, which could potentially increase their lead. However, Petersen believes that his team can still cause an upset and close the gap.
The 186th Soweto derby is set to take place on Saturday at 3:30 pm at FNB Stadium. Petersen and his team will look to make a statement against their arch-rivals and keep their title hopes alive. The match is expected to be a highly intense and closely contested encounter between two of South Africa's biggest football clubs.
Key points
- Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen says team not worried about 8-point gap to Orlando Pirates ahead of Soweto derby
- Petersen emphasizes importance of fighting until end of season to achieve team goals
- Soweto derby set to take place on Saturday at 3:30 pm at FNB Stadium
