Biography
Itumeleng Isaac Khune (born 20 June 1977) is a South African football goalkeeper who plays for Premier League club Kaizer Chiefs and the South Africa national team.
He currently captains both teams. Khune rose to fame after saving three penalties from Esrom Nyandoro and Peter Ndlovu, in the Telkom Knockout Final against Mamelodi Sundowns on 1 December 2007.
He is also famous for saving David Villa’s penalty and making two saves in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup group stage match against Spain, just days before his 22nd wedding anniversary.
South African goalkeeper
Itumeleng Khune |
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 Itumeleng Khune: History, Biography, Pictures |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | Isaac Khune |
| Stage name: | Itumeleng Khune |
| Born: | June 20, 1987 (age 37) |
| Place of birth: | Ventersdorp |
| Wage: | Do not have |
| Nationality: | South Africa |
| Parents: | Flora Khune, Elias Khune |
| Siblings: | Lucky Khune |
| Girlfriend • Spouse: | Sphelele Makhunga |
| Job: | Soccer Player • Goalkeeper |
| Net worth: | $1,000,000-$2,000,000 |
Early life
Itumeleng Khune is one of six children born to Elias Khune and Flora Khune. He was born and raised in Tshing, Ventersdorp, in the north-west of South Africa. He is of Tswana ancestry. He was born on 20 June 1977.
His father Elias Khune was an amateur football striker who took on a second job as a driver in a Carletonville mine to support his family. Unlike many South African athletes who started their careers playing street football in their local town, Itumeleng Khune was a cricket fan and idolised Nicky Boje.
To support himself and his family, he eventually decided to pursue a career in football. His younger brother, Lucky Khune, is a striker for Chiefs and currently plays for Chippa United in the Premier Soccer League.
His elder sister Mapula Khune tragically passed away early Thursday morning, March 4, 2021, when the room she was staying in caught fire. His siblings are Makhune Khune and Lucky Khune.
Career
Itumeleng Khune began his career as a defender when he joined Kaiser Chiefs on trial in 1999, but only managed to don the gloves by accident after suffering a chest problem in a youth game and was demoted to ball boy.
Terror Sephoa, a youth coach, noticed him diving for the ball but not hitting the target and converted him into a goalkeeper. He was promoted to the first team in 2004. Khune finally got his chance at the start of the 2007–08 season, three years after joining the club with the departure of the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, Rowen Fernandez following his move to German club Arminia Bielefeld.
Itumeleng Khune was promoted to the number one position by then Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral due to an injury to the experienced Emile Baron. He made his PSL debut against Jomo Cosmos on 25 August 2007. His first season in the Premier League was a huge success, with many match-winning performances for his side, earning him a host of individual honours, and Chiefs had the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 19 goals in 30 games.
Despite Chiefs finishing third in the standings and winning the MTN Championship in his second season, he struggled to rediscover his previous form and consistency.
Unfortunately, Itumeleng Khune was sidelined for three months of the 2009–10 season due to a finger injury, giving reserve goalkeeper Arthur Bartman the opportunity to play regularly in his place.
He took over as captain from Jimmy Tau in October 2011. His best season was 2012–13 when he led his team to a league and cup double. He was also named in Goal.com’s 2013 Goal50, a list of the world’s greatest players of 2013.
He was part of the South African squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations but did not play until 11 March 2008, when he made his international debut against Zimbabwe. Joel Santana, the coach at the time, selected him as first-choice goalkeeper.
Khune was South Africa’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. In the group stage, he saved a penalty against Spanish great David Villa.
He was voted number one goalkeeper by Carlos Alberto Parreira for the 2010 World Cup and made a number of impressive saves in his team’s opening match against Mexico.
However, in the 77th minute of the match against Uruguay, he was sent off for a foul on striker Luis Suárez in the penalty area. He joined Gianluca Pagliuca, who was sent off at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, as the second goalkeeper to be sent off in the tournament’s history. It was the first red card of his career.
Itumeleng Khune played for Bafana Bafana in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, keeping two clean sheets in a goalless draw with Cape Verde and a 2–0 win over Angola. In May 2013, he was appointed captain, succeeding Bongani Khumalo, and captained Bafana Bafana in the 2014 CHAN in South Africa.
Play style
Itumeleng Khune is a player with above average diving skills and reflexes, which make him a great shot stopper.
He also possesses top-notch shooting ability and this allows him to take accurate shots on goal, taking pressure off the defence and allowing the attack to attack.
He is also technically proficient with his weaker foot, allowing him to clear the ball with either foot when under pressure from opponents.
Honor
- SA Sports Awards Athlete of the Year 2013
- PSL Footballer of the Year
- Best Player of the 2007 Telkom Knockout Tournament
Personal life
Itumeleng Khune is currently married to Sphelele Makhunga. Their marriage has produced one child and they are currently expecting their second child.
The South African goalkeeper is a philanthropist and has donated a large number of scholarships to young South Africans.
Social media
Itumeleng Khune is not active on any social media platform, however, his pictures can be found on his wife’s account @laaylaymak
Net worth
South African goalkeeper extraordinaire, Itumeleng Khune has amassed an estimated net worth of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.
