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) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2004 | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2024 | Kaizer Chiefs | 286 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2008–2020 | South Africa | 91 | (0) |
| 2016 | South Africa Olympic | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 June 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 June 2023 |
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Itumeleng Isaac Khune (born on June 20, 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 after he saved three penalties in a big match on December 1, 2007. This was during the Telkom Knockout final against Mamelodi Sundowns. He is also famous for stopping a penalty from David Villa in a game against Spain in 2009. A day before his 22nd birthday, he made another amazing double save in that same match.
In 2010, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Uruguay, Khune became only the second goalkeeper in World Cup history to get a red card. He is also remembered for a special "René Higuita scorpion kick" save. He made this save in a league game in 2015, and it became very popular, even in England. Khune is known for his super fast reflexes. His ability to kick the ball accurately to his teammates is also praised. A former Liverpool goalkeeper, Sander Westerveld, called it "the best you will see anywhere."
Contents
About Itumeleng Khune
Early Life and Family
Khune was born in Tshing, Ventersdorp, in the North West province of South Africa. He grew up with five brothers and sisters. His parents are Elias and Flora Khune. His family is from the Tswana group. His father, Elias, worked as a driver at a mine. He also played amateur football as a striker.
From Cricket to Football
Unlike many South African players, Khune did not start by kicking a football in the streets. He loved cricket and looked up to the cricketer Nicky Boje. However, he later decided to play football to earn money for himself and his family. He went to several schools, including New Nation and St Barnabas. His younger brother, Lucky Khune, also played football as a striker. He played for Chiefs and later for Chippa United.
His Nickname: Spider-Man
Khune is often called "Spider-Man." This nickname comes from his amazing reflexes and how flexible he is as a goalkeeper. These skills help him make incredible saves.
Itumeleng Khune's Club Career
Starting at Kaizer Chiefs
Khune first came to Kaizer Chiefs in 1999 for trials. He started as a striker. But during a junior game, he had chest problems and ended up being a ball boy. While diving for balls that missed the goal, he caught the eye of a youth coach, Terror Sephoa. The coach saw his potential and changed him into a goalkeeper. In 2004, he joined the club's main team.
First Team Debut and Success
Khune waited three years for a chance to play in a game. His big opportunity came in the 2007–08 season. This was after the main goalkeeper, Rowen Fernandez, left the team. The coach, Muhsin Ertugral, made Khune the number one goalkeeper. He played his first Premier Soccer League (PSL) game on August 25, 2007. His first season was very successful. He made many match-winning saves. This helped his team have the best defense in the league. They only let in 19 goals in 30 games. Khune won many individual awards that season.
Challenges and Captaincy
In his second season, Khune found it harder to play as well as he did before. Even so, Chiefs finished third in the league and won the MTN 8 cup. In the 2009–10 season, a finger injury kept Khune out of action for three months. This gave his backup, Arthur Bartman, a chance to play regularly. In October 2011, Khune became the captain of Kaizer Chiefs. He took over from Jimmy Tau.
Leading the Team to Victory
The 2012–13 season was one of Khune's best. He led his team to win both the league and a cup. He was also named among the best players of 2013 by Goal.com, ranking 45th. In 2014, he played his 200th game for Chiefs. Before that game, he had kept 91 clean sheets in 199 matches. In the 2013–14 season, he won the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second time in a row. He only let in 15 goals and kept 18 clean sheets in 25 games.
Injuries and Contract Talks
Around July 2014, there were rumors that Khune might move to a German club. On September 3, 2014, he was diagnosed with a serious foot injury. This injury had bothered him since February 2014. Because of this, he could not play in the 2015 African Cup of Nations. He was cleared to play again in February 2015.
In April 2015, Khune received a red card in a game against AmaZulu. He was booked for wasting time and then for disagreeing with the referee's decision. Khune later apologized for his comments about the referees. His contract with Kaizer Chiefs ended in June 2015. After a long time of discussions, he signed a new contract and returned to the club on July 30, 2015.
Itumeleng Khune's International Career
Early International Appearances
Khune was part of the South African national team, known as Bafana Bafana, for the 2008 African Nations Cup. However, he did not play in that tournament. He made his first international appearance against Zimbabwe on March 11, 2008. After that, he became the main goalkeeper for the national team.
FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup
Khune was the first-choice goalkeeper for South Africa at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He famously saved a penalty kick from Spanish star David Villa during the group stage. He was also chosen as the main goalkeeper for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He made some good saves in the first match against Mexico.
On June 16, 2010, in a game against Uruguay, Khune was sent off. He tripped a striker inside the penalty area. He became only the second goalkeeper in the history of the FIFA World Cup to receive a red card. This was the first red card of his career. Because of this, Khune missed South Africa's last group game against France. After the World Cup, he got his number one spot back in the team.
African Cup of Nations and Olympics
Khune played for Bafana Bafana in the entire 2013 African Cup of Nations tournament. He kept two clean sheets in games against Cape Verde and Angola. In May 2013, he became the captain of the national team. He also captained Bafana during the 2014 CHAN in South Africa.
In 2016, Khune was chosen to play for South Africa in the 2016 Summer Olympics. He was the player with the most international experience at the tournament. He played a key role in his country's first match, which was a draw against Brazil. He made many important saves, including some from Brazil's captain, Neymar.
Itumeleng Khune's Style of Play
Khune is known for his excellent goalkeeping skills. He has very good diving abilities and quick reflexes. This makes him great at stopping close shots and free-kicks. He also has strong kicking skills. His goal kicks and punts are very accurate. This helps his team by taking pressure off the defense and creating chances for his attackers. He is also good at using both his feet to clear the ball when he is under pressure.
Outside Football
Khune has also done good things off the field. He donated R150,000 to an old age home in his hometown of Ventersdorp. He was joined by the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, and other football players, George Lebese and George Maluleka.
Honours
Kaizer Chiefs
- Premier Soccer League: 2004–05, 2012–13, 2014–15
- ABSA Cup/Nedbank Cup: 2006, 2013
- Coca-Cola Cup/Telkom Knockout: 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010
- SAA Supa 8/MTN 8: 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
