For all of the bad press currently surrounding Kaizer Chiefs skipper Itumeleng Khune, let’s not forget his vast success and legendary status at Naturena.
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Khune’s golden era at Kaizer Chiefs
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 16 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.
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A sorry ending to the story?
It’s now 10 consecutive Chiefs appearances for Itumeleng Khune without a clean sheet. After his 28th Soweto Derby appearance ended in a 1-0 defeat, Khune has lost nine of the last 10 matches he’s started for the Glamour Boys. The one win in that sequence was a recent 3-2 success against hapless Cape Town Spurs. It was also his first Soweto Derby start since 2018 and now the longest sequence without a clean sheet in his entire career.
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Disciplinary action for Khune pending
According to an exclusive recent FarPost report, “Khune arrived for training showing signs of someone under the influence of alcohol. He was ordered to undergo tests. The results of the tests reportedly confirmed that Khune was indeed under the influence of alcohol. He was immediately sent home.”
The matter is being taken seriously by the club, with the 36-year-old PSL veteran in line for suspension and other sanctions that could include him being stripped of the captaincy.
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How will you look back on Khune’s career once he calls time on a mostly glorious stint at Naturena?
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