Khune hasn’t given up on playing for Bafana Bafana

Kaizer Chiefs icon Itumeleng Khune has made it clear that at 36-years-old he is far from done in football.

A recent suspension for an alleged drink related incident has caused many to fear that Khune would soon be giving up the game.

Khune going strong

However, the stopper has taken inspiration from Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon who starred for club and country into his 40s.

“I will never stop believing it is still possible. Gianluigi Buffon was still number one for Italy and Juventus until the age of 45 and he was going strong,” Khune said at the Carling Cup All Stars match presser.

“So it’s up to you as a footballer on how you behave, carry yourself and the goals you set for yourself when you started as a youngster and tick all the boxes.

“I am still hungry for more success and I have to show it on the field, not only talk about it. Every time I am given the opportunity I have to show the hunger and how much I want to achieve because you can never have enough.”

Khune says that the best footballers stay hungry throughout their careers pointing to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I refer my story to Lionel Messi who has won seven Ballon d’Or’s and he is still hungry for more. I refer my story to Cristiano Ronaldo who has won five Ballon d’Or’s and he is still hungry for more by breaking records at every league he plays in,” Khune adds.

“You can never have enough as a footballer. I have won four goalkeeper of the season awards but I still feel I can win more. Obviously age is not on my side any more but I feel, with experience, I can achieve it.”

For the fans

Khune got his chance to prove his critics wrong thanks to the fans voting him into the All Star team and he kept a clean sheet until stoppage time to prove his worth.

“I am grateful for the love and support I still get from South African soccer-loving fans. I am happy that they voted for me; they could have voted for another goalkeeper because we have a lot of talent in the country,” Khune said.

“I am grateful they chose me to represent them and I will make sure I perform at my best so their votes don’t go to waste. I am happy with my contribution to South African football. I am grateful I was able to touch hearts of soccer-loving fans.

“That’s why whenever platforms like this come around, they feel they have to honour Itu at all costs by giving him the most votes because they still want to see more of me.

“I cannot afford to fail them. I have to make sure I give my all every time I get the opportunity and I love and appreciate every one of them.”