After 20 years, 286 senior team appearances, Itumeleng Khune’s playing days at Kaizer Chiefs have finally come to an end. That was confirme...
- Advertisement -
After 20 years, 286 senior team appearances, Itumeleng Khune’s playing days at Kaizer Chiefs have finally come to an end.
That was confirmed by the club’s marketing director Jessica Motaung, who told Thabo Mosia on Radio 2000 that they were exploring other avenues for the 37-year-old.“Khune has been a big part of the Kaizer Chiefs family, someone that we value very seriously,” Motaung said on the radio show.
“We are in process and discusses around the role that he can play. In fact one of the things that I was researching in the UK, the ambassadorial role of other players for their clubs after they’ve retired or moved.
“So we are in discussions and I’m very excited we have meetings that are set up for us to really look at finalising and going through certain proposals with each.
“But we’re very excited to sit with him around the table and really carve out a really exciting way of taking him to the next level within the Chiefs family. Talks are taking place and we’re making sure we’re keeping him within the fold.”
Khune shot to fame when he saved three penalties from Esrom Nyandoro and Peter Ndlovu against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout final on 1 December 2007.
“We are in process and discusses around the role that he can play. In fact one of the things that I was researching in the UK, the ambassadorial role of other players for their clubs after they’ve retired or moved.
“So we are in discussions and I’m very excited we have meetings that are set up for us to really look at finalising and going through certain proposals with each.
“But we’re very excited to sit with him around the table and really carve out a really exciting way of taking him to the next level within the Chiefs family. Talks are taking place and we’re making sure we’re keeping him within the fold.”
Khune shot to fame when he saved three penalties from Esrom Nyandoro and Peter Ndlovu against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout final on 1 December 2007.
He is also well known for saving a David Villa penalty and proceeding to make a double save in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup group stage match against Spain a day before his 22nd birthday on 20 June 2009.
 |
| Itumeleng Khune: Playing Career at Kaizer Chiefs is Over, After 20 Years, 286 Games |
On 16 June 2010 against Uruguay, Khune became the second goalkeeper in the history of the FIFA World Cup to be sent off. He is also famous for performing a René Higuita scorpion kick save in a league victory over Mpumalanga Black Aces on 28 October 2015, which made rounds in England.
Khune is known for his quick reflexes and his distribution which has been hailed as "the best you will see anywhere" by former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.
Personal life
Khune was born in Tshing, Ventersdorp in the North West as one of six children of Elias and Flora Khune. He is of Tswana heritage. His father Elias, worked as a driver at a mine in Carletonville and also played amateur football as a striker.
Personal life
Khune was born in Tshing, Ventersdorp in the North West as one of six children of Elias and Flora Khune. He is of Tswana heritage. His father Elias, worked as a driver at a mine in Carletonville and also played amateur football as a striker.
Unlike many South African players who cite kicking a football on their hometown's dusty streets as their starting point, Khune was in love with cricket idolising Nicky Boje. He eventually decided to pursue a career in football to earn a living for him and his family.
He attended New Nation, Westridge, St Barnabas and RW Fick High Schools. His younger brother Lucky Khune previously played as a striker for Chiefs and currently for PSL side Chippa United.
Khune is nicknamed "Spider-Man" for his reflexes and flexible goalkeeping skills. In 2019 Khune and his wife Sphelele Makhunga got married traditionally.
Club career
Khune started out as a striker when he arrived for trials at Chiefs in 1999, but assumed the gloves by chance after he experienced chest problems during a junior game and found himself being reduced to a ball boy.
Club career
Khune started out as a striker when he arrived for trials at Chiefs in 1999, but assumed the gloves by chance after he experienced chest problems during a junior game and found himself being reduced to a ball boy.
Diving for balls that had missed the target he caught the attention of youth coach Terror Sephoa who converted him to a goalkeeper. In 2004, he was promoted to the first team.
After three years of waiting to get any game time, Khune finally got his opportunity in the early stages of the 2007–08 season after the departure of number one goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez to German club Arminia Bielefeld.
After three years of waiting to get any game time, Khune finally got his opportunity in the early stages of the 2007–08 season after the departure of number one goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez to German club Arminia Bielefeld.
With the experienced Emile Baron often plagued by injuries, Khune was made number one by then Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral. He made his PSL debut against Jomo Cosmos on 25 August 2007.
His first season in the top-flight was highly successful as several match-winning displays for his side earned him a host of individual awards with Chiefs having the best defensive record in the league conceding only 19 goals in 30 games. - Online Sources
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Tinzwei Is A Worth Voyage For Those In Pursuit For Up-To-Date World Events.
Read More At The Online Coronavirus Portal Or Use The 24-Hour Public Hotline:
South Africa: 0800 029 999 or just Send Hie to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp
No comments