Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana has advised Itumeleng Khune to hang up his boots before it’s too late and the “the system doesn’t want him anymore”.
On Saturday, Amakhosi celebrated their long-term first-choice goalkeeper and captain for 25 years of service.
Ahead of the season, Chiefs had announced that Khune had signed a final one-year contract extension before he’ll hang up his boots and move into an admin role at the club – but the 36-year-old had responded by claiming no one but himself will decide when he calls it quits.
On Saturday, Khune again reiterated that he is not done playing and wants to continue, but Kekana advised him not to miss the right time to hang up his gloves.
“He must just understand and face reality that he will never play forever,” he said on Soccer Zone.
“At this stage that he finds himself in, one would say ‘leave the game before you start hating the game’.
“Because let’s be honest, he has not played for any other team before. The environment says he’s used to this setup.
“Imagine if he would think he’s capable of playing for another team with a different culture, with a different background.
“For him to be there, I’m sure he’s going to stress a lot the environment. If I were him, I would say there is the environment that I know better, [but] the reality says the system doesn’t want you anymore.
“When the system doesn’t want you anymore, make sure that you move.”
Kekana then drew comparisons to his own career, saying he jumped off at the right time and only has good memories, while he fears Khune might stay too long and could end up “hating the game”.
“Myself when I look at the memories that I have, I have the best memories and I retired with those memories,” he continued.
“The last time I remember playing football is when I lifted the PSL trophy, so always want to remember those.
“The other things, they will not going to do any justice to him because he’s going to hate the game.
“He’ll be losing matches that he shouldn’t be losing, and that is unlike him. He played for Bafana, he captained the Kaizer Chiefs team that has won the league. He has done so much.
“What point does he want to prove and to who?”