Veteran Mzansi goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has been offered advice by his former teammate Rowen Fernandez as he has entered a stage where he could be set to make a crucial decision in his career.
Khune is currently not registered with any club for the 2024/25 season after his contract with Chiefs ended in June and the club decided against renewing it.
Read – Nabi: I'm Here To Fulfil The Mission
The 37-year-old has been seen at times doing television work for the SABC as a resident analyst where another former Amakhosi great Doctor Khumalo and other top ex-footballers have been part of the crew.
During his six-year tenure with the Soweto giants, Fernandez saw Khune coming through the youth ranks and transitioning to be a key figure in the first team and for Bafana Bafana, having been promoted as a 17-year-old by the late Ted Dumitru half-way through the 2004/05 season
When he made the step up, Khune was initially the fourth-choice goalkeeper behind Fernandez, Emile Baron and Aubrey Mathibe following Brian Baloyi's move to Mamelodi Sundowns.
"Itu was there, and he was good from a very young age. At the time when I was there, it was me and Brian along with Tladi Mathibe and Emile Baron and then Khune. He was one of the decent young goalkeepers that were coming through. But Khune never got a chance until Brian left and then Muhsin threw him in the deep end. Khune was fantastic and he had a great season. He had a great career at Chiefs, I must say. He served the club very well, he was good, he did very well," said Fernandez, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
Chiefs have previously stated that the club would be open to offer Khune a position in their marketing department, while indications had been that Itu still believed that he has more to offer on the field though it is unclear if he will be looking at getting that opportunity elsewhere after the Glamour Boys decided to move on without him.
Read: Former PSL Defender Held At Gunpoint!
"It's a tricky one you know, he's been at the club for what, like 20 odd years now, or whatever. He must make a decision on whether he wants to continue playing, or if he wants to become an ambassador of the club, it's entirely his choice and he must make that decision. He must think about the short and long term in his planning, and he must do what is best for him for the long term," said Fernandez.
Meanwhile, Khune has called a press conference to make an announcement on 'the next big thing' on Wednesday, 6 November.
For all you exclusive football content and breaking news, join our WhatsApp Channel here.
By Masebe Qina
Follow him here on Facebook here on X
