Itumeleng Khune is not expected to feature in the Soweto Derby this weekend, but Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson feels the experienced goalkeeper has made a return to the squad at exactly the right time.
Khune was suspended and withdrawn from team activities towards the end of 2023 owing to matters of ill-discipline. He was stripped of the captaincy as well, but that does not take away his importance to the team, according to Johnson.
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The 36-year-old Khune, according to Johnson, will have a big role to play in making sure that the players are ready on a mental level to perform in the biggest game South African football has to offer.
"Itu's come back and we welcome him back. For sure, he has a lot to do as far as holding the changing room together at this particular time. In the derby, I think he has more than 20 under his belt, so he brings that extra energy and that little bit of calmness with his experience, into the dressing room to make sure that they are mentally prepared," Johnson told media during the Premiership press conference ahead of the derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
"Physically, we know the players should be ready. Tactically, we are going to do the best that we can. Technically, you don't play for Kaizer Chiefs and not be technically good. All those things taken into consideration, we are ready. But the biggest thing is mentally, for me. It's a mental game. As far Itu is concerned, we expect him to give a lot of mental strength to the younger players."
Johnson will take charge of his second derby since being thrust into the role of interim coach. What gives him hope going into this clash is Amakhosi's run of clean sheets.
"When you look at the history of the derby, anywhere in the world, and you have a privilege to coach this team, it gives you that more energy. The build up to the derby is always something different. Yes, you do have to play other games before then, but in the back of my mind, they have been looking at (Pirates') games for the last 10 games and taking note of the trends, if there were any.
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"The problem is that we go into a game where we know that we have something to hold onto, and that is a clean sheet. We've had clean sheets for the last seven games. So, it gives you a little bit of confidence going into the derby."
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