By Michael Madyira
From being Bafana Bafana’s number one goalkeeper at the 2010 Fifa World Cup to the brink of a disgraceful end to his playing career, that is the story of Itumeleng Khune.
The last six seasons have been unkind to the 36-year-old custodian who has battled several demons haunting his game.
It has been a difficult twilight zone of Khune’s career in which he had to deal with persistent injuries, gaining weight, losing the Chiefs and Bafana Bafana’s number one spot and now the alcohol abuse saga.
What was supposed to be a glorious end to his playing career has now turned into a monumental scandal.
On Thursday, Chiefs announced they had suspended Khune for turning up at training while intoxicated.
He was also stripped of the club captaincy in a move that could undo all the hard work he put in for several years and threatened to soil his legendary status.
“After the club’s rigorous disciplinary processes last week, the committee has taken stern action and decided that Itumeleng Khune should be temporarily separated from the team until certain conditions have been fulfilled,” said Chiefs in a statement.
“The club has taken steps to address his transgressions and certain sanctions were instituted, including removing him from the club captaincy of Kaizer Chiefs.”
The current Khune saga has stolen the limelight away from Amakhosi’s trip to Peter Mokaba Stadium to face Polokwane City on Saturday.
All talk has been about the veteran goalkeeper’s transgressions instead of how the Soweto giants have been struggling in their Premier Soccer League campaign.
Having lost three games and won two in their last five league outings, Chiefs find themselves eighth on the table.
They have been finding it hard to be consistent and they now visit Polokwane City who are 10th on the standings and have not tasted victory in their last five matches.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
