Kaizer Chiefs veteran Itumeleng Khune is expected to make a decision about his future very soon. A former Amakhosi goalkeeper has offered some strong advice.
ITUMELENG KHUNE AND KAIZER CHIEFS SITUATION
As the club confirmed before the start of the season, Khune signed his final contract as a Kaizer Chiefs player. While he is rumoured to be the next Amakhosi goalkeeper coach, is he ready to retire? Not really. The 36-year-old has ambitions to play until he is 40.
Meanwhile, here is what Kaizer Chiefs said when he latest contract was signed.
“Kaizer Chiefs’ longest serving player and Club captain, Itumeleng Khune, has been handed a new contract which will see him play for Amakhosi for one final season, taking his professional career to two decades,” the club said.
“Khune, who spent five years in the Chiefs development structures before being promoted to the senior team in 2004/05 season, will be in the Gold & Black as a member of the Chiefs first team for a 20th season – which is a new record for Chiefs. He made his debut in August 2007 against Jomo Cosmos, at the age of 20.
“While Khune will be involved in training and preparations for matches as a player, he will also use this year to broaden his technical acumen, as he transitions into a new coaching and ambassadorial role working with the marketing division at the Club.
“The Ventersdorp-born goalkeeper holds the record for featuring in the- most number of successive seasons as a Kaizer Chiefs player in the PSL era (16) since his introduction in 2007, and will boost his coaching aspirations working under the returning Rainer Dinkelacker, as well as coaches Aubrey Mathibe and Rory Minnaar in the goalkeeping department.
“It is remarkable that Itu, at the age of 36, has been with Chiefs for over 20 years. It speaks to his love for the game, dedication, hard work and commitment because very few achieve this feat. We hope that he gives it his all in this final season and shares his valuable experience with the younger players in the team,” says Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr.
“In the season just ended, Khune featured 13 times for Amakhosi, taking his total number of appearances to 423 in 19 seasons,’ Kaizer Chiefs concluded.
ADVICE FROM A LEGEND
Meanwhile, the club’s former goalkeeper, William Shongwe, believes that Khune should not be forced into retirement. His position allows him to play beyond 36.
“For me, I think Khune still has the quality to offer,” Shongwe said via FARPost.
“Some goalkeepers play until they are 40 internationally that’s the case. As Khune was, if he has an opportunity, I will say, ‘Go, go prove yourself with another team. If Chiefs are dropping you, maybe you’re not good enough, go play somewhere and see what happens’.
“It’s not a doubt; with his ability, you expect him to save the team. I think performance also speaks volumes; in the case of Khune, there were times when he didn’t perform as expected.
“As a player you set a benchmark for yourself, people will judge you on that. Anything else is considered poor; that’s the situation Khune finds himself in. Now he has to prove himself, play against himself, unfortunately that has never happened,” the former Kaizer Chiefs number one concluded..