Itumeleng Khune: The trophy years at Kaizer Chiefs

The one and only.

The legendary Itu Khune still wants to play top-level football for at least two more years. Can he though? Image: Goal

Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune is pondering extending his playing career elsewhere after leaving Naturena. Let’s examine an iconic career.

Khune’s Golden Years with Kaizer Chiefs

Itumeleng Issac Khune was the rare honour of being a one-club man. Famous around the world for his sensational distribution of a football, he’s also displayed superb shot-stopping abilities for club and country down the years. Khune made his PSL debut for Amakhosi against Jomo Cosmos in August 2007. In the 17 years that have elapsed, he has scooped seven major honours with the Glamour Boys, including three Betway Premiership crowns in 2005, 2013 and 2015 and amassed 347 appearances. This guy was also PSL Footballer of the Year in 2013. Say what you will, but Khune is a bona fide Amakhosi legend. He’s also got 91 Bafana caps.

2023-2024 was a season to forget for Itu

Khune only featured five times in the league last term, with zero clean sheets. His disciplinary issues at the back end of 2023 have been well-documented, and we won’t go into those again, but they can’t detract from his exemplary record and numerous achievements at the club. A shade under 20 years in the senior setup, 347 appearances and more trophies than most players can dream of in a lifetime.

itumeleng khune — Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune might still play a few more years in the Betway Premiership, but where? Image: X @kaizerchiefs

Khune reveals pay-cut

The 37-year-old stopper was reportedly the second-highest earner at the club before he and Keagan Dolly’s contracts could down. Dolly topped the list with an alleged R1.4 million a month, while Khune’s packet was around R480k a month. Factoring in a 50% pay cut mentioned below, that number would have been R240k monthly. The 2024-2025 season has been the first top-flight South African campaign to not feature Khune since 2007.

“I didn’t see myself representing any other team in South Africa apart from Kaizer Chiefs which I’ve played for, for my entire career. So, I didn’t see myself wearing another jersey.”

What are your best memories of Itumeleng Khune in a Chiefs jersey?

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