Itumeleng Khune advised to think carefully about leaving Kaizer Chiefs

At the beginning of the season, the Soweto giants announced that this would be the 37-year-old’s final season as an active player, although he appeared to contradict this statement during the campaign. 

Renowned sports sponsorship and brand specialist Sgwili Gumede says Khune would be best advised to retire at Chiefs.

"He's highly popular and very well-liked by the fans. Obviously, in the last year, he had one or two issues of this very nature, where they could part, but generally he's still highly regarded," said Gumede.

"If I was advising him, if what we know publicly is really what's happening, I would be thinking, 'Khune, just take an opportunity to work with the club, develop your future leadership career.

"'Whether as part of the technical team or even in the background, where you could potentially be a future sporting director, or a future marketing manager, or whatever the case may be.'

"But he should start building his [post-playing] career with a giant like Chiefs, and that would stand him in good stead."

Chiefs are expected to finalise dealings with players whose contracts are up this weekend, with Khune, who has been at the club for 25 years – including his spell in the junior ranks, among those. 

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Gumede maintains that Khune leaving Chiefs would do more harm than good to his own image and brand.

"First of all, it's always difficult to make comments on these things because we just don't have enough facts to know exactly what his options are, what's on the table, and what may or may not be happening in terms of other clubs' offers," he added.

"Or maybe Chiefs are also saying to him, you don't have a playing contract here anymore, but we think that he could join the technical team, as assistant goalkeeper coach or the development as one of the coaches.

"But the reality is that he would be much better off staying at Chiefs and building his career off the field than anywhere else."