Petersen hungry for duel against Angolans
Injuries are the most frustrating aspect of any sports career, which is why Ajax keeper Brandon Petersen can’t wait to play again.
|||Cape Town - Injuries, especially long-term ones, are the most frustrating aspect of any sports career, which is why Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper Brandon Petersen can’t wait to play again.
The 21-year-old broke his leg during a collision with Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Anthony Laffor in December 2014. He’s been out ever since…
Petersen, though, has now recovered. He’s been back training for the last two months - and his big opportunity to get back into action will come on Saturday when Ajax host Angolan side GD Sangrada Esperanca in a CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, second-leg tie at the Athlone Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm). The Capetonians won the first leg 2-1 in Dundo, Angola, last week.
Earlier this week, ahead of Wednesday’s PSL clash against Free State Stars (which the Cape side lost 1-0 at Goble Park in Bethlehem), Ajax coach Roger de Sa wasn’t prepared to focus too much on the Sangrada fixture as yet, but he did reveal: “The one thing I can tell you is that Brandon (Petersen) will play…”
The words were like music to Petersen’s ears. He battled to contain his excitement, especially considering that he’s been out for around 14 months. The lad from Elsies River has been given an opportunity to regain some confidence and time in the middle by playing in the Reserve League, but that’s obviously not the same as being in the first team.
“It has been really tough,” said Petersen. “And frustrating as well… But, at the same time, the setback has also had a positive impact on me. Now I’m hungry, I can feel that drive inside me… I’m working so much harder. I want to get into the starting team on a regular basis and I will give 100 percent to achieve it. After what I’ve been through, I want to come back stronger.”
“I’m so excited… I can’t wait, I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s match. For me, it’ll be the first time back from injury and also my first time playing in a CAF competition. So there’s a lot to play for and a lot at stake. As a club, as players, we obviously want to do well in this event.
“The Confederation Cup is big for us. We are not only representing our club, but the country as a whole. And that is why we want to do well. Also from an individual aspect, it’s a platform for the players to show what they can do and perhaps they can get recognition for their talent. For us, this competition is important and we will be going all out to win tomorrow and get through to the next round.”
Petersen was in the squad that travelled to Dundo for the first leg last week. Teenage goalkeeper Jody February was the man between the sticks, with Petersen on the bench.
De Sa wants to use the Confederation Cup as an opportunity to grow the experience of the many youngsters in his squad. With February playing last week, this time around it’s Petersen’s turn.
“Esperanca are a direct team,” said Petersen when asked about tomorrow’s opposition from Angola. “They like to use the long ball to get forward… They are also very physical and don’t pull out of tackles. I’m sure we can expect more of the same tomorrow… But the key is that we should just stick to what we do well and I’m sure we can get the result we want.
Ajax are privileged to have three top goalkeepers in the squad - Finn Anssi Jaakkola, Petersen and February. Jaakkola has the experience and consistency, and is currently the number one choice. But the two youngsters - Petersen and February - are both highly rated and pushing the Finn all the way.
Petersen stressed that the trio all supported each other.
“Obviously, there is competition among us, that’s the nature of the game,” said Petersen. “But we have a very good relationship and we always support each other, in training and in the game. Whoever plays, the other two are fully behind him… At the end of the day, it’s all about the team, not the individual.”
Cape Argus