Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune has described having signed a one-year deal with the club as “great relief” ahead what seems to be his last this season at the club.
As the career that has been glorious is petering out in a bitter end as starting place has been at a premium, that has led to Khune being given the last deal.
But Chiefs, who has been his club since 2004 when he was promoted by the late Ted Dumitru, Khune has been key to Amakhosi’s success, winning three league titles, three Telkom Knockout Cups, two MTN8, Absa Cup, Coca-Cola Cup, Nedbank Cup and SAA Supa 8 and an array of individual trophies – including the PSL Footballer of the Season in the 2012/13 season.
The former Bafana Bafana captain, who has also not been spared by injuries, has missed the first three matches of the season against Chippa United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City in the MTN8, respectively.
Brandon Peterson has been in goals in those matches, and he has also been given the armband in the absence Khune and vice-captain Keagan Dolly.
But Khune insisted penning a new deal with his boyhood club was a “great relief”, and he’s also accepted his slightly-changed role.
“Obviously it is a great relief for me having got the new contract,” reacted Khune.
“Yes, they are agreements that we had to make regarding my future with the club. But it is always pleasing to get a new contract and to continue what you love as a boy, which is to play football.
“I’m grateful to the chairman [Dr Kaizer Motaung] and the board of directors [for the role] that they have given me.
“The role and responsibility is to guide this team, is to guide the guys and obviously the new ones that are coming in so that they can settle in quicker.”
Khune made his Chiefs debut on 25 August 2007 against Jomo Cosmos at Kings Park Stadium under Muhsin Ertugral.
In that squad of the player that is still playing now is Onismor Bhasera of SuperSport United while the rest – players such as Cyril Nzama, Jonathan Quartey, Mokete Tsotetsi, Ditheko Mototo, Tinashe Nengomasha, David Mathebula, Thabo Mooki, Shaun Bartlett and Mabhuti Khenyeza – have all retired and others are coaching at the moment.
This is Khune’s 20th season – which is a new record for Chiefs, having made his debut at the age of 20.
The veteran holds the record for featuring in the most number of successive seasons as a Kaizer Chiefs player in the PSL era (16) since his introduction in 2007.
Khune, who has featured in 432 matches, will be involved in a new coaching and ambassadorial role working with the marketing division as soon as he retires, according to the club.
“The club was honest and upfront with me to say ‘at your age we are going to manage you’,” said Khune, who has not even sat on the bench in the first three matches.
“’You won’t be playing all the matches this season. When we need you, please be ready.’
“And I don’t mind doing that because they gave me the respect I deserve and I’m happy with my new role.”
