Kaizer Chiefs are set to bring in a new goalkeeper coach for next season but what does this mean for Itumeleng Khune’s future?
The 37-year-old keeper played his last match for the club last month. Before the start of last season, Amakhosi revealed that Khune was playing in his final season before venturing into management. Many fans expected Khune to go directly into coaching but the former Bafana Bafana captain dropped a bombshell in May when he announced that he was not retiring from the game.
Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly bringing in Ilyes Mzoughi as goalkeeper coach which means Khune might not be taking the role. Mzoughi will work under incoming head coach Nasreddine Nabi.
“Despite having offers from top North African clubs, Ilyes decided to join Chiefs. He signed a two-year deal with a further one-year option,” GOAL reported.
“However, he will continue to work for the Mauritanian Football Federation whenever there is a Fifa international break.
Kaizer Chiefs to bring in new goalkeeper coach, Khune to leave?
“He is scheduled to travel to Johannesburg tomorrow (Sunday, June 23) with Fernando Da Cruz. Nasreddine and the others will join them after AS FAR Rabat’s Throne Cup campaign,” a source told GOAL.
“A decision regarding Itu (Itumeleng Khune)’s future with the club(Kaizer Chiefs) will be made soon. Ilyes and Nasreddine will be consulted of course.”
Last season, former Bafana goalkeeper Itu Khune only played a handful of matches for Kaizer Chiefs. Bruce Bvuma has been the club’s first-choice keeper with Brandon Petersen as his backup.
A decision to be made on Khune’s future
Khune was honoured by Kaizer Chiefs during the Polokwane City match but the goalkeeper insists he is not retiring.
“This journey is still long,” he told SuperSport TV last month.
“We’re still going to see each other, we’re still going to travel together, as much as we have been travelling it and I appreciate everything that everyone has done for me.
“It’s not a farewell. The club made it clear that they are honouring me for 25 years of service. They(Kaizer Chiefs) didn’t say ‘we’re bidding farewell to Itumeleng Khune’.
“I think we will go back, sit down and discuss the future, ” he said.
If Kaizer Chiefs release Khune, the 37-year-old goalkeeper might have to look for another team for the first time.