Kaizer Chiefs sing a different tune about Khune

Itumeleng Khune may still have a future at Kaizer Chiefs, beyond the end of the current season.

Khune had has been vocal about prolonging his playing career, which is unlikely to be at Chiefs.

Over the years, Khune has been a stalwart for Chiefs, being their number-one goalkeeper for well over a decade. In recent years, however, the 36-year-old has been plagued by injuries and lack of form, which have seen him dropped. With the club failing to find a regular goalkeeper to take over, they have often called on him repeatedly. 

He recently returned with a man of the match performance for the Carling All Stars XI. The country got to see yet another glimpse of what he is still capable of in front of the sticks. With Chiefs making a statement that Khune will retire, he came out to say he isn’t ready to do so. Therefore, he might have to find another club next season.

Even with that being said, it was expected that Khune would return from his suspension last month. However, Chiefs team manager Bobby Motaung revealed the veteran keeper was still serving his suspension. In recent times, he has even been linked with a move to Sekhukhune United, as a renewal of his contract looks unlikely.

KAIZER CHIEFS WANT TO KEEP KHUNE

With his refusal to commit to retirement and behaviour issues, it was believed Khune had lost favour at Chiefs. But now according to Soccer-Laduma sources, the club still wants him to be there for years to come. 

“He is back with the team now and the management want to honour him for all the good years and service to the team he gave, by giving him a coaching job at the club, They were also considering him in the marketing department to work with Jessica (Motaung) because of his popularity. They really think the coaching job could be the right one at the moment. For now it’s just an offer. Nothing concrete has been agreed yet but it seems all will work well as things stand right now.” Said one source.

Another also emphasised that Chiefs still see a role for Khune at the club.

“The suspension didn’t mean they didn’t value him. They star suspended him and put him on special programmes because they still value him and want him to stay at the team. They could have expelled or fired him if they didn’t value him. So, the interest from other clubs have just proven and they want to make sure they keep him, honour him and show him that he is a legend at Chiefs” said the source.

Khune is yet to be pictured back at Chiefs training with the club, even with reports he has returned from his suspension.