Khune’s Chiefs conundrum!
Kaizer Chiefs legendary goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, finds himself in one of the most difficult conundrums for any footballer, where he has to decide whether to follow his head or his heart. The former Bafana Bafana skipper has a big decision to make on his career and, the closer we get to the end of the season, the sooner he must pronounce on his future. This is a decision he’s probably been spending sleepless nights on, wishing he didn’t have to face such a tricky situation.
The Ventersdorp-born footballer must either agree with the Amakhosi hierarchy and call time on his illustrious career or defy them by leaving the club to go elsewhere in search of game-time. This catch-22 emanates from the club’s official position that this is Khune’s last professional contract with the club as an active player, following their official statement upon extending his contract, while Khune himself, a few weeks later, went on the record confirming that he was not ready to retire and that he was not going to be told by anyone when it was time to hang up his gloves. In essence, Itu made it clear that this was not his last season, which goes completely against the club’s official standpoint. Will Itu hang up his gloves, join the Naturena-based club’s staff or will he find a new home, 20 years after walking into the Village as a no-name prospect who went on to become one of the best to ever come out of the club’s ranks?
Once again, Amakhosi are on the record stating that Khune would play no further part in the team beyond this season, as they made it clear this was his last contract. This gives an indication that, if Itu doesn’t get a run between now and May 25, he would have finished his Chiefs career. There has been confusion because of the different assertions from both parties as Amakhosi announced their one-year extension with Khune following up with his ‘I’m not retiring’ remark. Itu went on to, rightfully so, imply that no one was going to force him into retirement and that he would do so on his own terms. That issue has not been “resolved” because there’s been dead silence on the opposing views since Itu’s public statements to the media. He is yet to make any official statement on his future nor have Amakhosi said anything since their last press statement on the matter. The two parties, based on what happened, seemed to be singing from two different hymn books. One would have expected that the Amakhosi powers-that-be and their longest-serving member of the squad would’ve agreed on the terms of the contract before that statement. However, it would seem, Amakhosi made up their minds and never engaged the goalkeeper to get his side of the story and future plans.
Looking at the scenario, one can’t be at fault for thinking there was not enough, if at all, consultation and discussion between the two parties. The other school of thought would be, Amakhosi made their point clear to Itu and left everything else in his hands, to make up his mind. By so doing, Chiefs can’t be accused of forcing the player into retirement by enforcing their own decision. Just because they see this as their last contract for the goalkeeper, it doesn’t mean the end of his career but, should he wish to hang up his gloves after his last contract, there is a post waiting for him to occupy at the club. The club is within their rights to decide on who’s coming and who’s going, especially considering the limited contribution the well-decorated goalkeeper has had at the club in the last two seasons or so. While Itu said he’s not retiring, with him having recently returned to club activities after his suspension, it remains to be seen whether he will get any chance to possibly say ‘Goodbye’ to the millions of Amakhosi supporters as he is now eligible for selection.
Looking at the team’s recent results and precarious position on the log, as the Top Eight finish isn’t guaranteed yet, coupled with Bruce Bvuma’s performance, what are the chances of Khune getting his ‘Last dance’ in the Chiefs colours before the end of the season? If that press statement from Amakhosi is anything to go by, the club is well and truly prepared for life without Itu.
Now, the question is: Will Itu hang up his gloves because he still wants to be associated with Amakhosi beyond his playing career or will he leave the Naturena-based club and continue his career elsewhere? This is a player who knows no other team’s professional jersey other than the famous Gold and Black of the Glamour Boys. Will he be brave enough to part ways with Amakhosi and find a new home, considering there are several teams reportedly monitoring his situation? We are told the goalkeeper is not short of admirers but is he willing to consider that possibility? Itu must make up his mind and one believes he finds himself in a catch-22 and it is not an easy decision to make. As Itu, do you accept the club’s decision and, by so doing, call time on your career so that you remain at Naturena or forget about loyalty, put everything in the past, and carve a new career somewhere else?
Truth be told, Chiefs are ready for life without Itu but is he ready for life away from Chiefs? The last couple of seasons have not been kind to the likeable goalkeeper, with injuries holding him back while other goalkeepers grabbed their chances with both hands, limiting his contribution to the team. That means even those monitoring his situation are doing so based on reputation rather than form. This is a tricky position for Khune to find himself in as he has an important decision to make. He needs to apply his mind and consult extensively to ensure that he doesn’t make an emotional decision that he will later regret or a decision he will later feel he was ‘forced’ to make. Once again, Khune only knows Chiefs as a professional football club so walking away will not be an easy thing to do just like retiring before he actually feels like it, will neither be right nor fair to himself. Imagine him taking his last drive out of Naturena, a place he’s known as his home for two decades and knowing that he has to find a new home and get used to a new way of doing things. He may not be enjoying game-time but he remains one of the most-loved footballers not just by Chiefs supporters but football supporters in general. Because of the love our people have for Itu, whether he stays or goes, he will forever remain a Chiefs player in the eyes of the team’s supporters. Itu finds himself in a Chiefs conundrum and we are all waiting, patiently, to see if he will be staying and hang up his gloves or leave the club he’s served with pride over the years to start afresh somewhere else. It will be interesting to see how this one will end up but, one thing for sure, it won’t be easy for Itu. He still wants to play football but leaving Chiefs, as it seems to be the only solution for him, won’t be an easy decision to make at all. Good luck to Itu!
On a more sombre note, heartfelt condolences to Luke Fleurs’ family, former teammates, friends and everyone in the football fraternity. The 24-year-old defender will be laid to rest this Saturday after losing his life in a tragic hijacking incident in Johannesburg. It is yet another senseless killing in the crime-ridden South Africa we live in. May his soul rest in peace.