Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune reported for the start of the 2022/23 pre-season training with the intention of competing for the number one spot.
Khune, who turned 35 on Monday, is a footballing figure that transcends the usual footballing fandom with his talents and performances for Chiefs and Bafana Bafana propelling him to a level not many have achieved in local football.
Khune is a brand himself, an A-list celebrity for which the likes of Doctor Khumalo and Teko Modise managed to carve themselves a name for and attract multiple sponsorships and endorsements over the years and earn legendary tags whilst still playing the game.
With 91 national team caps and eight trophies, which include three league titles, Khune contribution to local football cannot be doubted but his future has come under question with only one game played over the duration of the 2021/22 campaign.
He looks set to still be part of the plans at Amakhosi after the exit of Daniel Akpeyi and will look to compete with Brandon Peterson and Bruce Bvuma for the number one spot next season.
“We’re very optimistic about Khune’s future in South African football as a player and legend for Kaizer Chiefs and what’s beyond his playing days,” Matuka of Brand Arc told iDiski Times.
“Khune is a big brand, he understands his responsibility on and off the field as a leader. He will also play a major role in the dressing room and club in general to guide the next generation of talent.”
The veteran keeper wants to be a step ahead as he understands there will be a new transition for his career which is likely set to be in coaching but he remains committed to trying to force himself back into the reckoning for a final swansong to remind those why he was dubbed ‘Mzansi’s finest’ and become one of the most popular footballers in South African football history – despite being between the sticks.
Khune has racked up over 330 appearances for the Amakhosi first-team since making his debut back in 2007 and is just one short of 150 clean sheets and it won’t be a surprise to see him surpass that feat next season – with the player believed to be working hard behind the scenes to get himself into peak physical condition for the start of the Arthur Zwane ‘revolution’ – as the club has dubbed it – at Naturena.
[Image: Kaizer Chiefs]
