Will Khune extend his stay at Naturena or not ?


By Neo Poho

Kaizer Chiefs veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune will soon hold talks with the team's management over a possible contract extension.

Khune's current contract comes to an end this year after the veteran signed a new two-year deal in 2021 when Chiefs offered five players contract extensions with Khune included in that list.

With Khune being forever grateful to Kaizer Chiefs for the opportunity they have given him since 2004 till date, the 35 year old has seen his career at Chiefs catapult him to being one of the best goalkeepers in the continent and arguably in the world too.

While Amakhosi have trimmed the average age of the squad in their recruitment policy, and with Khune turning 36 on the 20th of June, it is yet to be seen if Chiefs will extend his contract or not after also promoting youngster Bontle Molefe to the senior goalkeeping department team.

In more recent times, Khune has also battled a bit with consistency and form on the pitch while mostly featuring on the bench with Brandon Peterson gradually cementing his place as Amakhosi's first choice goalkeeper.

Earlier this year, Khune had also clearly stated he is happy at the club and he is not willing to leave the club even during a period of limited game-time.

"I have been given an opportunity at this club from the development side to the senior side and that's something I will forever cherish, I have also been given the responsibility to lead one of the biggest clubs in the continent, so I wouldn't be entertaining ideas that I would like to leave the club in the future," Khune said earlier this side.

Khune who is also most likely to part of Amakhosi's goalkeeping department as another goalkeeper coach at club should he hang his boots from playing has become a great influence towards the current first choice goalkeeper Brandon Peterson.

"I am extremely honoured to be rubbing shoulders with him and gaining some experience from him, one of the things I have learned from him is confidence, he is a very confident player and goalkeeper and whenever our heads are down he always steps up and motivates us so in a nutshell he is a legend of this team," Peterson said.

Khune has won the 2012/13 PSL Footballer of the year and the PSL Goalkeeper of the year in the same year.

The SA Sports Awards Newcomer of the year in 2008 saw his heroics in 2013 also earn him the title of being the SA Sports Awards Sportsman of the year in 2013.

With Amakhosi playing Royal AM in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup, Khune and co. will look to defeat the KZN side and potentially go all the way to clinch the title and end the 8 year trophy drought.

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Football

Kaizer Chiefs

Itumeleng Khune

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