Amakhosi goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune became the first goalkeeper for Bafana Bafana to keep a clean sheet in an Africa Cup of Nations game in nine games, as he kept his goal intact and was one of South Africa’s best performers during their 0-0 draw in their opening game against Cape Verde at the National Stadium on Saturday evening.

South Africa had conceded a goal in their previous eight games at the tournament stretching back to their opening game of the 2004 competition when they defeated Benin 2-0 in their opening game, and Khune was also the first Chiefs goalkeeper to start in goal in an AFCON game since Brian Baloyi did so in the final of the 1998 Nations Cup final against Egypt.

Khune cut an imposing figure in goal and was able to hold off an enterprising Cape Verde side and dealt easily with the Cape Verdean offense, the Amakhosi net-minder was also one of five Chiefs players who started the game.

Three of the Chiefs contingent who started the game Khune, midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane and striker Bernard Parker played the full ninety minutes while Siphiwe Tshabalala and Lehlohonolo Majoro were substituted off during the second half.