What a wonderful tribute. Kaizer Chiefs star Bruce Bvuma has revealed why he will always respect the great Itumeleng Khune.
KAIZER CHIEFS: BRUCE BVUMA PAYS TRIBUTE TO ITUMELENG KHUNE
This weekend has a massive one for Amakhosi. The Soweto giants are saying goodbye to their 36-year-old goalkeeper Khune after 25 years at the club. Speaking to the media about the event, Khune’s teammate and goalkeeping partner, Bvuma, revealed something special. The 29-year-old said Khune was there for him when he did not have money to attend training.
“Itu is a legend, I will miss his personality,” the Kaizer Chiefs keeper said in a video shared on X by Gagasi FM’s Ayanda Nyuswa.
“Itu taught me a lot, coming from the development. He told that he was in my situation before. I trained with the [senior] team but playing for the development where I did not have a contract. Itu was there for me. He was helping me. Sometimes I did not have money to come to training, Itu was there for me,” the Kaizer Chiefs star added
“Here we are talking about someone that we looked up to, growing up. I believe each and every goalkeeper looked up to Itumeleng Khune because of the person he is. He played a huge role for a lot of goalkeepers wanting to make it pro. I am definitely one of them.
“I will definitely miss his personality, his willingness to work hard. The secret to Kaizer Chiefs producing all these top goalkeepers is hardwork, Itu is a hardworker. I have seen it and he still does even now. The extras that he does. If you want to be better than others, you need to give more. Those are some of the things he taught me. That is why he got to where he is today,” Bvuma concluded.
OFFICIAL CLUB TRIBUTE
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs confirmed that Khune will be given an official send off at the FNB Stadium before the match against Polokwane City on Saturday at 15:00.
“With the Club intent on thanking our fanbase for their loyal support by finishing the season on a positive note, Kaizer Chiefs fans have another good reason to flock to FNB Stadium this Saturday, 18 May, with legendary goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, set to be honoured ahead of the team’s final home match of the campaign,” the club said.
“The fixture against Polokwane City promises to be an emotional and celebratory one as the Club, teammates and supporters say thank you to one of the most decorated players in Chiefs’ history.
“Khune, a stalwart of South African football, has been a pillar of strength for Kaizer Chiefs for over two decades, having arrived as a youngster from Ventersdorp, in the North West, back in 1999. Known for his exceptional goalkeeping skills and leadership on and off the field, Khune started in the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy before being promoted to the senior team at the start of the 2004/05 season,” Amakhosi concluded.
He Khune rank surpassed Doctor Khumalo as the club’s greatest legend? Let us know in the comments section below.