NUMERO UNO

Photos: African News Agency (ANA) By: Mihlali Baleka

Itumeleng Khune remains a favourite with the fans despite his dwindling status as Kaizer Chiefs’ premier goalkeeper.

The golden days when Itumeleng Khune was the man to beat for the number one jersey at Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana may have passed him, but the veteran keeper says he’s grateful there are people who believe he “still has a lot to offer”.

After being troubled with injuries in recent seasons, Khune fell in the pecking order at Chiefs. Since the start of the season, he’s played just one game – against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 quarter-final.

Since that defeat to Sundowns in the Wafa Wafa cup, Khune has found himself in the stands, with Daniel Akpeyi the preferred first-choice goalkeeper for coach Stuart Baxter in recent weeks.

But the 34-year-old who was at some point the darling of South African football, hasn’t thrown in the towel, insisting he still has a lot to offer.

“To be quite honest, it’s been difficult but I’ve got a good support structure around me,” Khune said. “There are people from the club that still call me and encourage me not to throw in the towel.

“I’ve got my family, wife and daughters that keep putting smiles on my face at all times. I know that I am not doing it for myself anymore but for the people that still believe in the talent and that I still have a lot to offer in this beautiful game.”

TOP: Itumeleng Khune supporters take selfies with their hero at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Despite being overlooked at Chiefs, Khune remains the fans’ favourite. They recently voted for him to start in the DStv Compact Cup. He turned back the clock with a string of good saves to power the Warriors to the inaugural DStv Compact Cup title.

Khune says that he is not playing to prove a point to anyone.

“There is that part (where I wanted to show I can still do it). When I realised how many goalkeepers that we have from these clubs, with myself and Bruce (Bvuma) having been selected before, that gave me hope,” the former Bafana No. 1 said.

“I needed to go out there, impress and do what I do best. (But) I am not here to prove a point to anyone that I still got it. I just want to enjoy myself and give the fans that still believe in me, and voted for me, something to smile about as well.” TOP: Itumeleng Khune supporters take selfies with their hero at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

RIGHT: “I still have a lot to offer in this beautiful game,” Khune said.