Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande says Itumeleng Khune will be supported no matter what decision he makes for his future.
Khune, 37, is out of contract with Chiefs, the only club he’s represented over his decorated career and has been offered a non-playing role by the club.
Whether he will move into coaching or as a club ambassador has not been clarified, but the iconic stopper has insisted he wants to continue playing football.
Khune has often suggested he was not past his playing days and wants to emulate one of the greatest footballers of all time Gianluigi Buffon who played well into his 40s at the highest level, but should he decide that, it’s likely to be at a club away from Naturena.
“We’ve been friends and we were part and parcel of the captain’s committee so obviously like I said, I came to football to make friends and [Khune] was one of the friends’ football gave me, we always talk, always positive in every situation,” Katsande said.
“So for him, it’s up to him to decide what he really wants, the most important thing is he doesn’t need to doubt what he contributed to Kaizer Chiefs. He must not doubt what he achieved with Kaizer Chiefs and football and how much he touched the souls of every goalkeeper.
“When goalkeepers have the ball they want to be like Itu, he left a blueprint in football. If he decides to go the other side [retiring] but if he still wants to play we have to support and enjoy him before he hangs up his gloves.
“The most important thing is to listen to your body, listen to yourself not peer pressure. Ask yourself, ‘can I still go, do I still have the drive’? So whatever he decides we will all support him because at the end of the day, it’s between him, himself and his family what he really wants you know.”
Khune amassed 91 international caps for the senior national team with his last coming back in 2018.
