Kaizer Chiefs will celebrate their iconic goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in a special ceremony before their final home game of the season against Polokwane City on Saturday (15:00).

Khune will bring the curtain down with Naturena-based side as this season will be his last after he was handed a one-year deal at the start of this term. 

Chiefs are taking advantage of this to make carnival festival for their captain as this will be Amakhosi’s last home game of the season as their last game of this term will be against already relegated Cape Town Spurs on 25 May.    

“…Legendary goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune is set to be honoured ahead of the team’s final home match of the campaign,” Chiefs said in a statement. 

“The fixture against Polokwane City promises to be an emotional and celebratory one as the club, teammates and supporters say thank you to one of the most decorated players in Chiefs’ history. 

“Khune, a stalwart of South African football, has been a pillar of strength for Kaizer Chiefs for over two decades, having arrived as a youngster from Ventersdorp, in the North West, back in 1999.” 

Khune, who has been on the wrong side of the law with Amakhosi, was recently restored after he was allegedly arrived at training under the influence of alcohol.   

“Known for his exceptional goalkeeping skills and leadership on and off the field, Khune started in the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy before being promoted to the senior team at the start of the 2004/05 season,” added Chiefs in the statement.  

“Khune spent five years in the youth structures and is currently in his record-setting 20th season with the senior team. 

“Supporters in Gauteng, and those from further afield who can travel, are encouraged to come in large numbers to show appreciation for Khune’s contributions to the Amakhosi cause.  

“The game against Polokwane City will not only be a crucial match for Kaizer Chiefs, with three vital points at stake, but also a poignant moment for fans to celebrate the career of a true legend of the game in South Africa.”  

Khune, who made his PSL debut against Jomo Cosmos when he was 20 years, two months and five days under Muhsin Ertugral, the club announced at the start of the season he “will be involved in training and match preparations, but will also broaden his technical knowledge this year as he transitions into a new coaching and ambassadorial role working with the marketing division at the club’s end of season.” 

The Ventersdorp-born goalkeeper holds the PSL era record for most consecutive seasons (17) as a Chiefs player since his 2007 debut. He has made a total of 429 appearances across 20 seasons.  

Along the way, Khune has won three league titles, three Telkom Knockouts, two MTN8s, one Nedbank Cup. He’s one of two goalkeepers in the PSL to win the PSL Footballer of The Year which happened in 2012/13 season and second most capped player in the Bafana Bafana history with 91.  

Picture courtesy of Kaizer Chiefs