Itumeleng Khune pushing for new Kaizer Chiefs contract despite retirement claims

When announcing Khune’s contract renewal at the beginning of the season, Chiefs noted this would be the former Bafana Bafana number one’s last professional contract amid a transitional season into retirement. 

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But the 32-year-old seemed to be singing from a different hymn book at Thursday’s Soweto Derby press conference.

"That is also not guaranteed yet, it will depend on my performances on the field. Every player registered in the team is willing to work harder, compete for a place, and give his all for the team at every given opportunity," Khune responded when asked about his future.

"So, it's no different for me, whenever I'm given an opportunity to perform so that I can get a new contract. I did mention at the start of the season that my body can still carry me until I'm 40-plus.

"If [former Italy international, Gianluigi] Buffon could do it until 45, [former Egypt international, Essam] El-Hadary could do it until 44, who am I – at the age of 36 – to entertain the fact that someone has an idea that Itu must retire?"

While Chiefs' plans were made clear in their pre-season statement regarding Khune's future, and despite his reservations about retirement, the veteran shot-stopper says he'll never wear the jersey of another team.

"To be quite honest, I would not have invested my energy for the past 25 years in one club, which is Kaizer Chiefs, and then come my 26th year, I start entertaining ideas of any other club," he noted.

"I told myself that I want to play here until I hang my gloves, and I think I've done tremendously well when it comes to that part, and if I'm forced to retire at the end of the season then I can retire peacefully and start focussing on other things.

"But I don't see – and I've never seen myself – representing any other brand except Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana."

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