Happy birthday: Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana legend Khune turns 38!
Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana legend Itumeleng Khune is celebrating his 38th birthday TODAY, 20 June.
Khune, who was born on this day in 1987, arrived at Chiefs as a young boy with big dreams in 1999.
He went on to serve Amakhosi for 25 uninterrupted years both as a junior and senior player until 2024. Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs. Images via X: @kaizerchiefs
At Kaizer Chiefs…
Khune was first promoted to the Chiefs senior team in 2004 but he had to wait until 2007 for his breakthrough.
It was Muhsin Ertugral who showed faith in Khune, and threw the then 20-year-old goalkeeper into the deep end.
The Ventersdorp-born 'keeper grabbed that opportunity with both hands and never looked back.
Khune single-handedly delivered several major trophies for Chiefs, including the 2008 MTN8 and 2009 Telkom Knockout Cup.
He went on to become a household name in South African football, and was influential in Chiefs winning their first league title in eight years in 2013.
In 2015, Khune nearly ruined his Chiefs career when he was axed alongside the likes of Tefu Mashamaite and Mandla Masango.
However, he quickly came to his senses and apologised, and was welcomed back by the Amakhosi hierarchy.
In July 2023, Chiefs announced that Khune's one-year extension was his final contract with them, and the beautiful journey ended in style in May 2024.
He had won three league titles, two Nedbank Cup titles, three MTN8 titles, and four KO titles with the Soweto giants. Itumeleng Khune driving a Toyota sponsored Kaizer Chiefs car
At Bafana Bafana…
Khune made his Bafana Bafana barely a year after breaking into the professional ranks, and he went on to earn himself the nickname Mzansi's No.1.
He made the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) squad but he was never given an opportunity by then coach Joel Santana.
However, Khune came back stronger and won the hearts of South African football fans and made a name for himself during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
He also played a part at the 2010 FIFA World Cup but perhaps his regrettable moment will be the red card he received against Uruguay in Bafana Bafana's second Group A match.
Khune was Bafana Bafana's captain at the 2013 Afcon in South Africa, and is actually an Olympian after being included as one of three overage players for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.
No Bafana Bafana goalkeeper has been capped more than Khune (91) since the national team's re-admission in 1992. Bafana Bafana goalkeepers Ronwen Williams and Itumeleng Khune. Image: BackpagePix
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