Itumeleng Khune has left the window of opportunity open about the possibility of playing for another club, with his playing career at Kaizer Chiefs coming to an end.
Khune will not be getting a contract renewal as a player when his deal runs up at the end of June.
READ: Chiefs striker ranks amongst the worst ever at the club
Last week, this website highlighted the need for Khune to be honoured for long service and on Thursday Chiefs responded in the affirmative, giving the strongest hint that he will get minutes in the club's last home match on Saturday.
"The fixture against Polokwane City promises to be an emotional and celebratory one as the club, teammates and supporters say thank you to one of the most decorated players in Chiefs' history," read a statement from the club.
Khune arrived at Chiefs as a schoolkid in 1999 and went through experiences of sleeping at a train station during the days when he had to commute from Langlaagte to Carletonville, where his father worked.
As the years moved by, his incredible goalkeeping abilities became obvious and come the start of the 2004/05 season, he was promoted to the first team sitting at the back of the queue behind Rowen Fernandez and Aubrey Mathibe, before Emile Baron, Ryan Wuest and Markus Bocskor joined.
Khune finally got his first-team debut on August 25, 2007, against Jomo Cosmos and could now play his last in May 2024 against either Polokwane City or Cape Town Spurs, which are the two games that Chiefs have remaining.
The next big question is what choice Khune will then make.
Stay on at Chiefs on a non-playing role or move on to fulfill his desire of playing until he is 40.
Khune turns 37 in June and has not been back in the matchday squad since his return from a club-imposed suspension on March 6 that came after he transgressed on club protocols late last year.
READ: Downs' abnormal load to season end
He has played only a quarter of Chiefs' games in the period since January 2020 and has not known a clean sheet in all his last 10 appearances.
His last appearance was in the Soweto Derby defeat to Orlando Pirates on November 11 last year.
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!