Khune: Baxter Is Chiefs’ Greatest Coach Ever
Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune has declared Stuart Baxter the greatest coach in the club’s history.
Khune won four major trophies with Chiefs, including the double – the MTN8 and the league title in 2015 – under Baxter’s leadership between 2012 and 2015.
Chiefs are currently aiming to end their trophy drought since then and will face the formidable Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final at Loftus Stadium on Sunday (18:00).
In the other semi-final, Orlando Pirates, who have won the Nedbank Cup twice in the last two seasons, will host Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium on Sunday (15:00).
Khune, who is an ambassador for this season’s Nedbank Cup, last won the tournament with Chiefs in the 2012/13 season, defeating SuperSport United in Durban. Khune was in peak form that season and delivered a stellar performance in goal during the final.
“I strongly agree because he won four trophies with Chiefs, and I played under him,” Khune stated during the Nedbank Cup’s “Agree or Disagree” challenge.
However, one fan expressed skepticism, arguing that Baxter inherited a strong squad and merely “maneuvered his way” to success. The fan even jokingly suggested that Khune’s agreement was influenced by being the coach’s favorite.
Khune vehemently refuted this, saying, “I had to fight to be the best. It wasn’t about favourites – it was about working hard and earning your place!”
This endorsement is unsurprising, considering Khune won the prestigious PSL Footballer of the Season award in the 2012/13 season, Baxter’s first year in charge.
Khune became only the second goalkeeper to win the award, following Andre Arendse with Santos in the 2001/02 season. Ronwen Williams later became the third, winning the award with Mamelodi Sundowns last season.
The Ventersdorp-born goalkeeper, before leaving at the end of last season, holds the PSL era record for the most consecutive seasons (17) as a Chiefs player since his debut in 2007. He has made 429 appearances across 20 seasons.
Throughout his career, Khune has won three league titles, three Telkom Knockout trophies, two MTN8 titles, and one Nedbank Cup. He is also the second most capped player in Bafana Bafana history with 91 appearances.
