FNB Stadium Must Be Our Fortress, Says Kaizer Chiefs Keeper Peterson

Rethabile Nyelele14 August , 2025

2 2 minutes read

FNB Stadium Must Be Our Fortress, Says Chiefs Keeper Peterson — Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Peterson has laid down the challenge to his teammates, urging them to turn FNB Stadium into an intimidating venue for visiting teams this season. Speaking ahead of their first home clash of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign, Peterson emphasised the importance of making home advantage count.

A Fresh Start at Home

Amakhosi will host Polokwane City on Wednesday in their opening home fixture, fresh from a morale-boosting 2–0 victory away to Stellenbosch on Sunday. While the result has set the tone for a promising start, Peterson believes the real test begins now.

Last season, Chiefs struggled to assert dominance at their iconic home ground. They managed just five league wins at FNB Stadium, collecting only 19 points from 14 matches, a record the shot-stopper is determined to help change.

“It’s time to make FNB Stadium a fortress,” Peterson told the media at the Chiefs Village. “Teams should be nervous to come here. What better way to do that than with back-to-back home fixtures?”

Back-to-Back Home Fixtures

Following Wednesday’s meeting with Polokwane City, Amakhosi will welcome Richards Bay to FNB Stadium on 19 August. Peterson believes these consecutive home matches present the perfect opportunity to set a winning tone and reconnect with their supporters.

“We’ve been on the road for most of pre-season in the Netherlands, and then we kicked off the league in Cape Town,” he said. “Now, the players are excited to be back in front of our own people. Hopefully tomorrow marks the beginning of a different story for us at home.”

Lessons from Last Season

Consistency was a major concern for Chiefs during the 2023/24 season. After opening the campaign with back-to-back victories, they failed to win consecutive league matches again for the rest of the season—a pattern Peterson says must be broken.

Reflecting on their strong display against Stellenbosch, the goalkeeper credited the squad’s mentality. “We applied ourselves well. Our target was to start the season with three points, and we achieved it. You could see the hunger, the fight, and the togetherness.”

Building Momentum

Peterson stressed that the key to competing for silverware will be sustaining momentum, especially during the packed early-season schedule. “We can’t just win one and then drop points in the next. This period is a blessing because the matches are coming quickly. It’s a chance to keep that winning feeling alive.”

The keeper also called on the team to embrace the pressure that comes with wearing the gold and black, particularly when playing in front of a demanding home crowd. “We know what’s expected of us. The fans want results, and so do we. FNB must be the place where we set the standard.”

Fans’ Role in the Fortress Dream

Peterson’s rallying cry extends beyond the dressing room to the stands. He believes a charged atmosphere can help inspire the squad to deliver the kind of dominant home form that turns title hopes into reality.

“When the supporters are behind us, it lifts us. They are our twelfth man. If we can give them performances to be proud of, they’ll give us the energy to push harder,” he said.