Pieterse poised to renew Chiefs deal

KAIZER Chiefs goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse looks eager to sign a new deal with the club, now that he is getting more games under his belt.

Pieterse has played eight matches in all competitions this season and is currently the man coach Steve Komphela is relying on in goal, ahead of Itumeleng Khune and Brilliant Khuzwayo.

His contract expires at the end of June.

"Definitely. At the end of the day if I can play, then that's good for me," Pieterse said when asked if getting game time would motivate him to extend his stay with Amakhosi. "I am grateful to the coach for believing in me and giving me the opportunity.

"There's a lot of competition and your place is never guaranteed here. You have to fight and that's what you want as a player. We all want to play, but it's the coach's decision."

After Amakhosi's horrific showing at the back in the Telkom Knockout defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns last month, Komphela rang the changes and one of those was to bring in Pieterse in place of Khuzwayo.

Since then Amakhosi have conceded just one goal and kept two clean sheets in three matches.

"It's always good to have consistency at the back there. It's been a tough start for us, but we can always rectify the mistakes," said Pieterse.

"I am happy to see Lorenzo [Gordinho, the centre-back] is developing as a player. He is becoming one fine player."

On trying to defend their league title, Pieterse said: "If we keep up with the pack at the top, then that's good.