Legendary Itumeleng Khune is in pain to see his former club Kaizer Chiefs being a laughing stock, of going close to 10 years without winning a trophy.

However, Khune noted Chiefs’ win against Stellenbosch in the quarter finals, stating it boosts their confidence and draws them closer to ending their 10-year trophy drought. 

Khune was part of Chiefs side that last won the Nedbank Cup in the 2012/13 season when they beat SuperSport United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium

“It gives them confidence. Remember for the last nine years, going into 10 years, the Chiefs haven’t won any silverware and this gives them an opportunity. We have a bad history when it comes to Nedbank Cup. Kaizer Chiefs has been knocked out by the lower division teams and now they are in the semi-final,” said Khune during the Nedbank Cup campaign.

“You’re just one step to the final and win it. Players need to tell themselves that we’re going to leave everything on the field. It’s been embarrassing coming from the generation of winning cups to not winning cups in 10 years. 

“I think the players have the opportunity to change that because now they managed to win in the last 32, last 16, last eight, and now it’s down to the last four. 

“Kaizer Chiefs is the laughing stock now and it’s not nice being known as the Cup Kings for many years and come end of the day 10 years without the silver wear, it’s not painting a good picture about the club.” 

Khune, who is second all time when it comes to national team caps with Bafana Bafana, has urged South Africans to think big and be more ambitious in terms of football.   

“We need to change our mindset in South Africa. We need to start thinking big,” said Khune 

“And look at Relebohile Mofokeng now; he’s also doing well, and Barcelona wants him. If I were him, I would grab the opportunity, but then again it’s not his decision, it’s the club’s decision at the end of the day. 

“But Relebohile is playing week in, week out. You see Mohau Nkota playing week in, week out, then they strengthen our national team also, when they grow mentally.” 

The former Kaizer Chiefs captain believes that youngsters can perform well when they see the potential of representing Bafana Bafana. 

“I think what it does is brings competition into our league and again you know if you know you stand a chance to go play for your national team, obviously you’re going to want to be a regular,” he said. 

“So these boys at least now coaches can give them an opportunity. As soon as there’s national call-ups, you’ll see coaches inviting youth players just to get them used to the environment of the first team. 

“Get used to speaking and communicating with the first team players because a lot of these players are scared because they see us from far and now they are scared to express themselves.

“So when you have senior players, they can sit these youngsters down and show them the way. Those guys, if you keep on going the way you’ve been going, you’re also representing the country; obviously, the bigger goal is to end up representing Bafana Bafana, and anything can happen.” 

The former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper further stated that young players need to believe in themselves and avoid using age as an excuse. “Players need to start believing in themselves and stop looking at the age as an excuse to say I’m still a youngster. You cannot be a youngster forever, you have to grow mentally, physically, emotionally and be able to take the pressure that comes with playing for those big clubs,” he concluded.

Chiefs, in the semi final, will face the winner of Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United, with this quarter final match having been cancelled last weekend due to Lucas Moripe Stadium being double booked. 

Article by Kamogelo Ndlovu