Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has revealed what he told Cape Town Spurs teenage sensation Luke Baartman after he scored his first senior goal against him.
Baartman, who turned 17 in June, has made three appearances for the Urban Warriors and was on the scoresheet when Spurs lost 3-2 at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, in a match that was played behind closed doors.
After the match, Khune was seen comforting the young Spurs starlet and he has now revealed which words of advice he shared with the 17-year-old.
“It’s difficult to share [what I said], because I conceded against him. But as a sportsman you show sportsmanship,” he told reporters.
“I think I remember when I left my goal posts, he was the first player I saw just outside the 18-yard box. Instead of going to my teammates first, I went up to him because I could see he’s a young boy, he was isolated, he was sitting by himself, his teammates were sitting down all over the pitch…
“I went up to him, I hugged him and said ‘the only time you can score against Itumeleng Khune is with deflections’ and he couldn’t stop laughing.
“I was like ‘you’ve got a bright future, I’m proud of you. All the best for the future’. And he said ‘thank you’.
“I really felt like it touched him and that’s what you want. I remember I was a youngster at some point, I was also told by another Grotman such great words and 20 years later, here I am, I’m still standing, I’m still going strong because every time I remember Grotman’s great words. I keep pushing harder.”
Khune and Chiefs are back in action on Saturday when they will host rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby at 15:30 at FNB Stadium.
