Veteran Kaizer Chiefs and Mzansi’s finest keeper Itumeleng Khune reveals the history behind the famed No. 32 jersey number he dons for Amakhosi.
Khune is the longest-serving player at Chiefs and one of the most senior in the DStv Premiership – he reveals why he is still wearing it up to this day.
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The revered Bafana Bafana legend who starred for the former African champions during the 2010 FIFA World Cup says the number 32 is special to him.
He reflects on his first day at Chiefs as he looked to turn professional and with the help of his father, he was driven not to disappoint.
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KHUNE LOOKS BACK AT HIS FAMED NO. 32 CHIEFS JERSEY
The North West-born seasoned shot-stopper, Khune has been at Naturena for close to 20 years and remains adored by many fans.
As a youngster, Khune says he had to walk for six kilometres to attend trials at Chiefs and he was anxious not to fail.
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“I remember at the age of 12 years walking [about 6km] from the Johannesburg CDB to Helen Joseph Hospital in Auckland Park with my father holding my soccer boots and hoping that I do not disappoint [during the trials],” Khune said this week per Sunday World.
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“The trials went well for me, hence I am wearing this special jersey number 32.
“It’s not just a number, it has a special meaning to me. I was the 32nd player to be selected on the day of the trials.
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“The coach at that time asked who my name was, and he had only selected 31 players.
“He then looked at me, and wrote 32 and my name. That’s why this number will always have a special place in my heart.”
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While he has been starved of regular game time at Chiefs since the emergence of Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma – Khune remains a darling with the Glamour Boys family.
FAMED CHIEFS DARLING DRIVEN TO INSPIRE YOUNGSTERS
The most decorated keeper and renowned for his exceptional distribution skills, Khune says he had a chat with chairman, Kaizer Motaung.
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He reveals his ambition is to see the youngsters going all the way and break his records and leave a legacy.
Together with Toyota, the former Premier Soccer League winner with Chiefs recently a coaching clinic at Naturena where they hosted youngsters from Alex Royal Tigers.
As part of the training clinic inspiration talk, Khune urged youngsters, including those at Chiefs, to follow in his footsteps and build a legacy
“I recently had a one-on-one conversation with chairman Kaizer Motaung about the record I set of becoming the only player with the most appearances at the club,” he added.
“So, I wish that all the young guys here can go all the way and break those boundaries because anything is possible to leave a good legacy.”
