MIHLALI BALEKA
Therell always be an Itumeleng Khune factor. Thats why, for the next few weeks, Kaizer Chiefs must find the one thatll benefit everyones future and run with it.
Few personalities come as big as Khune and, therefore, deciding on his future cant be easy. After all, Khune is one of the few sporting greats that can boast about having been crowned the SA Sport Star of the Year, despite his clubs failures.
Itumeleng Khunes future at Kaizer Chiefs remains unclear. | BackpagePixKhune, however, has enduring a string of lows in recent seasons, raising concerns if theres realistically still a way back to the top for the 36-year-old goalkeeper. Well, thatll be for him and Chiefs to decide though hell continue to be Mzansis finest no matter what, having endeared himself even to rival fans.
The Amakhosi seemed to have decided his fate last year, saying the goalie was at the end of his career as a player, roping him into behind-the-scenes roles. However, Khune made a case regarding his future, ascending as the No 1 jersey earlier the season.
The wheels came off after he reportedly arrived at training under the influence of alcohol, subjecting him to suspension and a rehabilitation programme.
That must have disappointed the top brass at the club, given that they expected a figure such as Khune then club captain to lead by example. With Chiefs enduring a trophyless run for the last nine seasons, Khune would have expected to help redirect the fortunes of the club via the players.
Nevertheless, after his troubles, Chiefs management now led by the children of , Kaizer Motaung recently took Khune back into their confidence. His return has yet to be felt in the run-in, though.
Bruce Bvuma has battled to keep a clean sheet in recent matches for Kaizer Chiefs. | BackpagePixMeanwhile, his protg Bruce Bvuma has hit a downward spiral since his return before the Soweto derby, keeping only one clean sheet in the last five games. During his absence, Bvuma, who admitted that he missed Khune, had kept seven clean sheets in eight games before his idol returned.
It would, however, be unjustifiable and wrong to pin Bvumas poor form, or the clubs poor run of form, for that matter, on Khune alone. Hes just a small piece of the bigger puzzle.
Chiefs have been their worst enemy on and off the field. Theyve failed to score in the last four games. They are enduring an insipid run a three-game losing streak and are in danger of finishing outside the top eight.
The next few weeks are going to be taxing for the team and the club, whose bosses have to find a new coach and make a call on Khunes career. Whether theyll decide to wait for the new coach to come in to help him with that decision remains unknown. But therell always be a Khune factor on and off the field.
