Sergio Dos Santos, a former Kaizer Chiefs coach, has weighed in on the club’s ongoing goalkeeping situation, highlighting the struggles of both Fiacre Ntwari and Brandon Petersen to capitalize on their opportunities so far this season. While Ntwari, who was brought in during the off-season from TS Galaxy, has had a challenging start, conceding 11 goals in seven appearances, he remains the first-choice goalkeeper under coach Nasreddine Nabi. His performances have been scrutinized, especially following heavy defeats, such as a 4-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup.
Dos Santos commented on how the goalkeeping department has struggled, partly due to the overall performance of the team. He noted that the pressure on goalkeepers like Ntwari is intensified when the entire squad is not functioning optimally. Dos Santos also pointed out the fact that the entire Chiefs team has faced difficulties, with Ntwari’s individual performance often overshadowed by collective defensive mistakes. The team’s defense has exposed him to situations where he cannot prevent all the goals he faces.
Additionally, there’s competition from other goalkeepers like Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma, who are also vying for the number-one spot. Dos Santos suggested that the lack of a consistent defensive unit behind the goalkeeper only adds to the pressure on individuals in goal. While Ntwari’s individual performances have been questioned, Dos Santos believes that goalkeepers should not bear the brunt of the team’s shortcomings, as football is a collective effort, with defensive errors often leading to goals.
