Khune’s future still in doubt

SPECULATION about the future of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune at Kaizer Chiefs continues to rage as Amakhosi line up to face Bidvest Wits in tonight’s Absa Premiership fixture at FNB Stadium.

Conjecture was fuelled yesterday by a full-page advertisement that featured in major newspapers for the Carling Black Label Cup. The advert depicted the Chiefs and Pirates lineups but the Chiefs squad did not include Khune.

The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and fan favourite’s agents have been in prolonged negotiations to renew a contract that ends next month.

Khune, who has had an injury-plagued season, has not been brought back into the starting lineup, since being sent off for earning a double-booking for time-wasting, when remonstrating in Chiefs’ 1-0 win against AmaZulu on April 9.

He seems unlikely to feature for the new champions again tonight, based on the strong performances in goal of the towering Reyaad Pieterse.

Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung would not comment yesterday on the advertisement promoting next season’s Carling Cup match between Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, which featured 14 senior players from both Soweto giants. “I’m dealing with player contract issues next week. I don’t want to comment on them now,” Motaung said yesterday.

Chiefs wrapped up the title with their 4-1 victory against Polokwane City at FNB two weeks ago. Amakhosi broke Mamelodi Sundowns’ year-old record of 65 points, going to 66, a week ago, against the Brazilians at Lucas Moripe Stadium with a last-gasp 1-0 victory, thanks to Bernard Parker’s injury-time goal.