The Khune conundrum
Will he go, will he stay? That’s the big question
“NO, no, no,” protested Dr Irvin Khoza profusely. “I am not going there.”
The image of soccer supremo Khoza is of an all-powerful man who goes gung-ho where angels fear to tread. But it is the curious case of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune that The Iron Duke is treating as a no-go zone.
In May 2013, Khune was the man of the moment at the Premier Soccer League (PSL) awards. Then captain and undisputed first choice for Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana, he was a sweepstakes winner: footballer of the season, players’ player of the season, goalkeeper of the season and Nedbank Cup player of the tournament.
In November 2013, the SA sports star of the year award was the cherry on top for a man shining bright as a diamond.
Fast forward to this year and there’s significant difference in the lay of the land. Khune’s star is shedding its diamond sparkle. Sidelined by a long-term injury, he watched the late Senzo Meyiwa take charge with complete command at Bafana while Brilliant Khuzwayo proved more than a capable challenger for the No 1 shirt at Chiefs.
What would have previously amounted to crisis — Khune’s injury — was reduced to a nonevent as club and country made great strides without him.
With his contract in its final weeks at Chiefs, and with no resolution in sight, speculation on Khune’s next move is dominating conversation.
Is he staying? Is he going abroad? Will “Spiderkid” follow in the cobwebs of his idol, Brian “Spiderman” Baloyi, who left Chiefs for Mamelodi Sundowns? Is Pirates the next destination?
Khune, 27, turned the Pirates flame to an inferno when he posted an Instagram picture of himself asking a young boy wearing Pirates colours which team he should sign for.
“We have not spoken to the boy,” squealed Khoza at the Sandton Convention Centre as Khune and his Chiefs comrades were showered by confetti on stage as they celebrated their league championship glory.
“We must protect the boy. This is a very sensitive matter,” said Khoza, adding: “I have good relations with Kaizer [Motaung, the Chiefs boss standing just a few steps away from this conversation] and I don’t want to spoil that relationship. I don’t want to lose it. I don’t want trouble.” But, despite denials, the relationship between Chiefs and the goalkeeper who graduated from their junior ranks to one of the foremost figures in local football, is on shaky ground.
We have to go back to the recent past to understand the present and Khoza, whose club was struck by a goalkeeping crisis with the senseless slaying of Meyiwa last October.
Why wouldn’t he pounce on a goalminder ranked as one of the best in Africa when he so craves continental dominance?
After all, PSL rules permit players who are in the last six months of their contracts to speak to suitors and sign pre- contracts if they so desire.
But the way striker Lehlohonolo Majoro left Chiefs for Pirates is still a festering wound. “The Majoro move brought about serious tension between the two chairmen,” said a source close to Khoza and Motaung.
“Remember that Pirates were unhappy when [defender] Jimmy Tau left them for Chiefs and the two teams fought fiercely over Siphelele Mthembu.
“In fact, this goes as far back as the late [marksman] Lesley Manyathela. Chiefs thought they had signed him only for him to rock up at Pirates. Which club wouldn’t want Khune?”
Khune kept Chiefs at bay while holding out for a transfer overseas. When it didn’t materialise, Amakhosi remained resolute with their initial offer.
While the PSL champions may not be having sleepless nights about a possible Khune exit, other high-profile departures are on the cards.
Contract talks with current captain Tefu Mashamaite, who won big at the PSL gig last Sunday, are yet to be concluded. Read what you like in him shak- ing every player’s hand before ascending on stage to accept his footballer of the year gong.
A move to Belgium beckons for Mashamaite’s beanpole centre-back partner Mulomowandau Mathoho.
Mashamaite walked away with four gongs from the PSL awards. He was crowned Chiefs’ player of the year, too, and generously gave the R100 000 award to Mathoho. Losing both in one go would collapse a crucial pillar of an almost impregnable Chiefs rearguard.
And then there is the small matter of coach Stuart Baxter. The Englishman has delivered four trophies in his three years at Naturena Village and his stock has skyrocketed.
Baxter is a man in demand and it will be how Chiefs respond to his demands that will determine whether he extends his contract beyond the one year remaining on his current deal.
Amakhosi will need all their sharp tools in the shed if they are to repeat, or improve, their record-breaking exploits of the season that just ended. They will need to venture into the market to fill the gaps that appear inevitable. HOT TOPIC: With his contract in its final weeks at Chiefs, and with no resolution in sight, speculation on Khune’s next move is dominating conversation
Majoro’s move brought about serious tension between the two chairmen