Khune’s Bold Advice: Stay Away From Agents
Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune advises youngsters against having football agents, stating that their primary concern is their own financial gain.
Khune, an ambassador for this season’s Nedbank Cup final between Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday [15:30], made these remarks during a brief session with Brighton Mhlongo in Durban on Friday.
The discussion centered on the socio-economic benefits of hosting the Nedbank Cup final in Durban.
Khune has had negative experiences with agents in the past. After Chiefs won the league title and the MTN8, his contract expired in June 2015, and he initially did not renew it.
However, following extensive negotiations and a change of agents, he returned to the club on 30 July 2015, signing a new contract.
“I think it is very important because, as footballers, we tend to think we have football agents. I’m not meaning to downgrade them or speak ill of them, but towards the end of my career, I stopped having an agent,” said Khune, who left Chiefs at the end of last season.
“I started seeing growth in my bank account. When I still had my agent, I thought they were doing their job. But all they did was come, you sign a three-year contract with a club, and you sign a two-year contract with them.
“They get their share and then completely forget about you. Not only you as a player, but they would also rather have five different goalkeepers playing for different teams but competing for one position. When a club approaches an agent looking for a goalkeeper, the agent has to choose from those five. Who will they select? They might respect all of us, but who do they take to a bigger club, and who do they leave behind or send to a smaller club?”
“I feel like agents wasted my time, and if I had known this at a young age, I would be in a much better position now. Players often seek advice from agents, yet agents prioritize their own pockets over the players’ interests.”
This sentiment echoes the experience shared by Teko Modise, a former Nedbank Cup ambassador, who felt exploited and emphasized the importance of players owning their image and brand after parting ways with his agent, Jazzman Mahlakgane.
“So, you are basically wasting your time. Instead, as I said, go to Nedbank or any bank, ask for an advisor, someone who will focus primarily on you and your finances and ensure that you don’t have sleepless nights when you retire,” Khune continued.
“You will retire knowing that you are financially secure, and that is what Nedbank can offer to the current generation of players.”
Khune won the Nedbank Cup with Chiefs in 2013 when they defeated SuperSport United 1-0 after extra time at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Chiefs have not won the competition since then.
Although he hadn’t made his debut yet, Khune was part of the Chiefs squad that won the cup in 2006, then known as the Absa Cup, when they beat Pirates on penalties in the final at Kings Park Stadium, located across from Moses Mabhida Stadium.
On the other hand, Pirates are aiming to win this competition for the third consecutive time, a feat that would make history in the PSL.
