Bona fide Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has won several accolades in his 17 years at Naturena. Here are the details.
KHUNE’S GOLDEN ERA
Itumeleng Issac Khune was the rare honour of being a one-club man. Famous around the world for his sensational distribution of a football, he’s also displayed superb shot-stopping abilities for club and country down the years. Khune made his PSL debut for Amakhosi against Jomo Cosmos in August 2007. In the 17 years that have elapsed, he has scooped seven major honours with the Glamour Boys, including three DStv Premiership crowns in 2005, 2013 and 2015. This guy was also PSL Footballer of the Year in 2013. Say what you will, but Khune is a bona fide Amakhosi legend. He’s also got 91 Bafana caps.
Whether the 37-year-old takes up a coaching post in the future is another matter, but this is his final season as part of the playing personnel. His gloves will be huge ones to fill.
2023-2024 WASN’T KHUNE’S FINEST WORK
Itu only featured five times in the league this term, with zero clean sheets. His disciplinary issues at the back end of 2023 have been well-documented, and we won’t go into those again, but they threaten to taint his legacy. That being said, nothing can truly detract from his exemplary record and numerous achievements at the club. A shade under 20 years in the senior setup, 346* appearances and more trophies than most players can dream of in a lifetime.
What’s next for the Kaizer Chiefs legend?
Itumeleng Khune’s future is a little murky.
FARPost has reported that Khune is back in training at Naturena despite being out of contract next week. In contrast, Siyethemba Sithebe, Keagan Dolly and Njabulo Ngcobo also have contracts expiring at the end of June but they weren’t in training. Does that hint at his immediate future and a U-Turn on his situation? Or, should we not be reading too much into that?
“About 28 Kaizer Chiefs players attended the session, and notable absentees included Siyethemba Sithebe, Njabulo Ngcobo, Keagan Dolly, and Sifiso Hlanti, whose contracts are set to expire at the end of June. Their absence adds a layer of uncertainty to the squad’s composition for the upcoming season. Ngcobo has already signed with Sekhukhune United. On the brighter side, legendary goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was present, signalling his continued commitment to the club. He is also out of contract next week,” as per the FarPost report.
Do you think the club will change their stance and keep Khune for another year? Let us know in the comments.