Kaizer Chiefs are embarking on a significant preseason tour to Turkey today, marking a pivotal moment for the club. However, veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune will not be part of the traveling squad.
Khune’s contract, which was offered to him last winter, expired last week, and the club has not yet offered him a new deal. This development has left Khune’s future with the club uncertain, casting doubt on the continuation of his storied career with Kaizer Chiefs.
Khune, who has been with Kaizer Chiefs for over 16 years, has become an iconic figure in South African football. His departure from the preseason tour signals a potential end to an era.
Despite his desire to continue playing, the club appears hesitant to offer him a new playing contract, possibly suggesting a shift towards rebuilding with younger talent. Khune’s absence from the tour could pave the way for new goalkeeping prospects to step up and prove their worth.
Incoming coach Nasreddine Nabi, who recently concluded his spell with FAR Rabat in Morocco, will soon join Kaizer Chiefs in Turkey. Although the club has been relatively quiet about Nabi’s appointment, the Tunisian coach has confirmed his new role in the media. Following FAR Rabat’s defeat to Raja Casablanca in the Throne Cup, Nabi expressed his excitement about leading a team of Kaizer Chiefs’ caliber. “I chose the Kaizer Chiefs offer because it is an honor for me to supervise a team of their value,” he stated.
Read: Why Itumeleng Khune was excluded from the Squad traveling to Europe for Pre season Camp in Turkey
Nabi will join the team in Turkey within the next week or so, while his assistant, Fernando da Cruz, has been overseeing the initial stages of the preseason in South Africa. Da Cruz arrived two weeks ago to start preparations and has been regularly briefing Nabi on the team’s progress. Hammadi Sghir, another of Nabi’s assistants, is expected to travel directly to Turkey to join the squad.
This preseason tour is crucial for Kaizer Chiefs as they prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 Premier Soccer League season. The club aims to rejuvenate its squad and strategy after a decade of decline that has brought disappointment and anxiety to its supporters. The tour in Turkey, which includes training sessions and friendly matches against top Turkish teams, offers an opportunity for the team to build cohesion and assess new talents.
The absence of Khune and the arrival of Nabi signify a period of transition for Kaizer Chiefs. The club is looking to forge a new path and regain its former glory, with hopes that this preseason tour will lay the foundation for a successful season ahead.
