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Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has a huge decision to make. But what are his options? After spending a number of years at Naturena, he has become the fabric of the team.
But, there is an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed. The big question: is this it for the once un-scorable shot-stopper, or can revive his career elsewhere in the PSL?
The answers to this question are known by the universe, but here, GOAL looks at the possible options for Khune, whose deal with Chiefs expires at the end of the season.
It is always said that goalkeepers age like fine wine. Khune is 36 years old and there are a number of goalkeepers who have enjoyed some level of success and consistency in the latter years of their careers.
Chiefs have Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Petersen who are battling for the number one spot.
Khune can re-establish himself as a contender for the number one jersey and prove to everyone that he is not down and out.
Khune is arguably one of the best goalkeepers to don the Bafana Bafana jersey, and he was the number-one choice during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
He has all the experience of playing at the highest level and perhaps a chance to join the national team as part of the goalkeeping staff might help South Africa.
Khune's experience is not questionable and his understanding of the game, having worked as a pundit for the national broadcaster, SABC, during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, makes him a fitting candidate to join Hugo Broos' team.
Most players who have stayed in one team for the whole of their career tend to be held to high standards by the club. Khune joined Chiefs as a young boy and is now a legend at Naturena.
But, he has said that he is not ready to hang up his gloves just yet.
However, leaving to go play elsewhere might blemish his status as a one-team player.
The most prudent for him would be to call it time on his career and maybe he may be integrated into the coaching department either in the senior team or in the club's development ranks.
There have been many players who have gone broke after hanging up their boots.
Surely Khune has learnt from that and made the right financial decisions.
Football is a short career and Khune being surrounded by people like team manager Bobby Motaung and sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr, he must've been advised to venture into business.
The option for him to venture into business exists as he can walk away from what has been a relatively successful career, spanning about two decades at Amakhosi.
At some point, Khune wanted to leave Chiefs when he demanded an improved contract and tried to forge a move abroad.
His contact ended at the club and for some time, he was looking elsewhere before he made a U-turn back to Naturena.
The possibility of him leaving Amakhosi always existed and maybe it is now time for him to establish himself at another PSL club where there is less pressure than at Amakhosi.
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