Itumeleng Khune facts for kids
Khune before a match against Poland in 2012
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Itumeleng Isaac Khune | ||
| Date of birth | 20 June 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Ventersdorp, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
| Number | 32 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2004 | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2004– | Kaizer Chiefs | 286 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2008–2020 | South Africa | 91 | (0) |
| 2016 | South Africa Olympic | 3 | (0) |
† Appearances (Goals). |
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Itumeleng Isaac Khune (born 20 June 1987) is a famous South African professional football player. He played as a goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League. He also played for the South African national team. Many people think he is one of the best goalkeepers in South Africa. His nickname is "Mzansi's number one".
Khune became very well known when he saved three penalties in a big match in 2007. He also made an amazing save against David Villa from Spain in 2009. In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he was sent off in a game against Uruguay. This was a rare event for a goalkeeper in the World Cup. He is also famous for a special save called a "René Higuita scorpion kick". This save was so cool it was talked about even in England. Khune is known for his super fast reflexes. His ability to pass the ball from his goal is also considered excellent.
Contents
About Itumeleng Khune's Life
Khune was born in a place called Tshing, Ventersdorp, in North West province. He was one of six children. His father worked at a mine and also played football. When he was young, Khune loved cricket and looked up to a player named Nicky Boje.
But he decided to play football to help his family. His younger brother, Lucky Khune, also played football. People call Itumeleng "Spider-Man" because his reflexes are so quick and he is very flexible as a goalkeeper. In 2019, Khune and his wife, Sphelele Makhunga, had a traditional wedding.
Itumeleng Khune's Club Career
Khune first tried out for Kaizer Chiefs in 1999 as a striker. But during a junior game, he had chest problems. He ended up being a ball boy. While diving for missed shots, a youth coach noticed him. This coach, Terror Sephoa, helped him become a goalkeeper. In 2004, he joined the main team.
After waiting three years, Khune finally got to play in 2007. The main goalkeeper left, and Khune became the number one choice. His first season was a big success. He won many awards and helped his team have the best defense.
In his second season, he found it harder to play as well. Later, a finger injury kept him out of games for three months. In 2011, Khune became the captain of Kaizer Chiefs. The 2012–13 season was one of his best. He led his team to win both the league and a cup.
He also made a list of the best players in the world that year. In 2014, he played his 200th game for Chiefs. He won the Goalkeeper of the Year award two times in a row. He was linked to a German club, Hannover 96, around 2014.
In 2014, he had a serious foot injury. This injury made him miss a big tournament in 2015. He was sent off in a game in 2015 for arguing with the referee. He later said sorry for his comments. Khune's contract with Kaizer Chiefs ended in 2015. But after talking for a long time, he signed a new contract and stayed with the club.
Itumeleng Khune's International Career
Khune was part of South Africa's national team, called Bafana Bafana, in 2008. He played his first international game against Zimbabwe in 2008. He quickly became the team's main goalkeeper.
He played for South Africa in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He famously saved a penalty kick from Spanish star David Villa. Khune was the first-choice goalkeeper for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He made some great saves in the first match.
However, in a game against Uruguay, he was sent off for tripping a player. This was the first red card of his career. He missed the next game because of this. After the World Cup, he became the team's number one goalkeeper again.
In 2013, he was made captain of Bafana Bafana. He led the team in the 2014 CHAN tournament. In 2016, Khune played for South Africa at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He was one of the most experienced players there. He made many important saves, including some against famous player Neymar from Brazil.
How Itumeleng Khune Plays
Experts say Khune is one of the top goalkeepers in the video game FIFA 15. He is known for his amazing diving skills and quick reflexes. This makes him great at stopping close shots and free kicks. He also has excellent kicking abilities. His goal kicks and punts are very accurate. This helps his team by taking pressure off his defenders. It also creates chances for his team to attack. He can kick the ball well with both feet, which is a great skill.
Itumeleng Khune Outside Football
Khune cares about his community. He gave R150,000 to an old age home in his hometown of Ventersdorp. He visited the home with important people like the Minister of Sports and Recreation.
Honours
Club
- Kaizer Chiefs
- Premier Soccer League (3): 2004–05, 2012–13, 2014–15
- ABSA Cup/Nedbank Cup (2): 2006, 2013
- Coca-Cola Cup/Telkom Knockout (4): 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010
- SAA Supa 8/MTN 8 (3): 2006, 2008, 2014,
Individual
- PSL Footballer of the Year 2012–13
- PSL Players' Player of the Season 2007–08, 2012–13
- PSL Club Rookie of the Year 2007–08
- SA Sports Awards Sportsman of the Year 2013
- SA Sports Awards Newcomer of the Year 2008
- Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament 2007
- Telkom Knockout Goalkeeper of the Tournament 2007
- Premier Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Season 2007–08, 2012–13,2013–14
- Kaizer Chiefs Player of the Season 2007–08, 2012–13
- Kaizer Chiefs Player's Player of the Season 2007–08, 2012–13
- Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament 2013
See also
In Spanish: Itumeleng Khune para niños
