It’s Not Over Yet: Kaizer Chiefs Super legend Still Wants a Chance to Play
The previous hints were not false. Kaizer Chiefs superstar and legend Itumeleng Khune is not interested in retiring.
The long story involving Kaizer Chiefs and Itumeleng Khune continues.
ITUMELENG KHUNE SITUATION AMAKHOSI
It’s been a saga. To cut it short, Amakhosi first announced last season that Khune was signing his final contract with the club as a player. After just five appearances last season, Kaizer Chiefs honoured the 37-year-old for 25 years of service. During the same afternoon, Khune was quick to clarify that he is not retiring despite the club’s previous statement he was not going to be offered another deal.
Rumours soon followed that Kaizer Chiefs were planning to appoint Khune as a goalkeeper coach. However, new coach Nasreddine Nabi soon arrived with his own goalkeeper coach IIyes Mzoughi.
Does it mean retirement for Khune? Not quite.
According to Khune age, the 37-year-old is keen on continuing to play.
“Khune’s issue is not the same as the contracts of other players. Many things are being considered. It will not be resolved in a short period of time. All I can say is that soon it will be clear about his future in Chiefs,” said Khune’s agent Thato Matuka via Isolezwe.
“Khune still wants to play, his body still allows him. He hasn’t decided to hang up his gloves. Age doesn’t mean anything if he can still do the job,” Matuka concluded.
KEAGAN DOLLY ON WHY HE STRUGGLED AT AMAKHOSI
Former Kaizer Chiefs attacker Keagan Dolly has confirmed he was affected by false salary reports at Amakhosi.
Speaking to Robert Marawa on 947, the 31-year-old from Johannesburg said claims that he was earning over R1 million at Kaizer Chiefs were untrue.
“There was a story on Twitter one day that I was earning R1,4 million and I was shocked because it was nowhere near that,” Dolly said on the show.
“And a lot of people believed that story and that’s why I say that added more pressure on me.
“People (fans) look at me like, you the highest-paid player in the league not only at the club what are you giving us, what are you doing?
“So, every time I step on the training field or step onto the playing field, I have to handle myself in a certain way because people expect that from the highest-paid player.
“So, that comes with more pressure, and it gave me a sense of trying to do more than what I had to do, at the time I felt like doing everyone’s role and forgetting about playing my own game.
“That was lies, and it just brought a lot of pressure,” the former Kaizer Chiefs captain concluded.
Meanwhile, Dolly is yet to find a new team after SuperSport United decided to choose Vincent Pule.
KAIZER CHIEFS’ FIRST FIVE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES
Pre-season will eventually end for Amakhosi. With around two weeks to go, here’s a look at Kaizer Chiefs’ first five fixtures for the 2024/2025 Betway Premiership.
The Soweto giants will start the season on 14 September in Bloemfontein. It is where Marumo Gallants have decided to play their home games at the Toyota Stadium this season.
Match day two will see Amakhosi host a home game against Stellenbosch FC on 22 September. The third game will be a trip to Durban’s AmaZulu on 25 September, before the fearsome champions Mamelodi Sundowns visit the Glamour Boys at the FNB Stadium on 28 September.
FULL LIST:
- Marumo Gallants vs Kaizer Chiefs – Saturday, September 14, Toyota Stadium, 17:30
- Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch – Sunday, September 22, FNB Stadium, 15:00
- AmaZulu vs Kaizer Chiefs – Wednesday, September 25, King Zwelithini Stadium, 19:30
- Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns – Saturday, September 28, FNB Stadium, 15:00
- SuperSport United vs Kaizer Chiefs – Saturday, October 26, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 17:30.
WILL AMAKHOSI TASTE ANY SUCCESS THIS SEASON?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.