Kaizer Chiefs marketing director Jessica Motaung recently provided clarity regarding the future of the club’s veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. The 37-year-old’s contract expired at the end of June, leaving his playing career in a state of uncertainty. Notably, Khune has not been training with the rest of the Amakhosi squad and was absent from the team’s preseason trip to Turkey.
Motaung confirmed that the club is actively engaged in discussions with Khune to determine the best path forward. “In terms of Khune, the club will make its announcements. We are certainly in discussions with Khune,” Motaung stated, as reported by KickOff. She emphasized Khune’s deep-rooted connection with Kaizer Chiefs, noting his 25-year tenure and describing him as “like a little brother.”
Despite Khune’s expressed desire to continue his playing career, there is growing speculation about a potential non-playing role for him at Naturena. Towards the end of last season, Kaizer Chiefs honored Khune in a manner that many interpreted as a signal of his impending retirement. The club has yet to sign a new goalkeeper who appears to be a long-term replacement for Khune, who was a standout performer during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Several reports suggest that if Khune chooses to remain with the club, he might transition into a goalkeeper coaching position within the development structures or take on an ambassadorial role. However, if Khune insists on continuing to play, he may need to seek opportunities with a new club, which would be a first in his professional career. For the entirety of his career, Khune has been synonymous with Kaizer Chiefs, and moving to another team would mark a significant shift for the veteran goalkeeper.
As the situation develops, Kaizer Chiefs fans and the broader football community are keenly watching to see how Khune’s illustrious career will evolve, whether it be on the field or in a new capacity within the sport.
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