Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star Khune refutes retirement claims: ‘I still want to play’

Photo Credit - Kaizer Chiefs Media.

Former Kaizer Chiefs number one goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has come out to rubbish claims that he has quit football insisting he still wants to play if an opportunity comes his way.

The 37-year-old left Amakhosi at the start of the current campaign having managed 286 appearances in all competitions. He has now said leaving Chiefs was not the end of his career, and was only waiting for a phone call to continue playing.

“Only God will decide that it’s over,” Khune told iDiski Times. “Right now I still want to play. I’m keeping fit and playing five aside football getting myself ready for any phone call that may come through saying ‘Itu we need your services’. Listen, I’ll be there.

“My main focus is with the SABC, it’s with Nedbank, it’s with the Topbet, it’s with Studio 88.

“For now obviously, that’s where my bread comes from and obviously future endorsements. But if anyone had to knock and say Itu come back to football, obviously, I won’t be able to do all of this because full focus will be back on the field.

“But since I’m not on the field as yet, I would rather focus on those big projects that I’m doing. I’m still around and I mean if [Denis] Onyango is 39 going on 40 why should I be in a hurry at 37 going on 38? Hence I’m saying if a call comes through now I’m going”.

Khune shot to fame when he saved three penalties from Esrom Nyandoro and Peter Ndlovu against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout final on 1 December 2007.

He is well known for saving a David Villa penalty and proceeding to make a double save in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup group stage match against Spain a day before his 22nd birthday on 20 June 2009.