Describe yourself in five words. I also want to know if you married, what car do you drive and which team members do you hang around with the most? What position do you prefer other than goalkeeper?


Winnie Msiza

Itumeleng Khune: I am open, a good listener, bit impatient at times (laughing), very supportive and dedicated. I am not married but I do have a girlfriend. I will not give out the name (smiling). I hang out a lot with my brother, Lucky, Thela Ngobeni and sometimes George Lebese. I still drive the Nissan X-Trail I won at the Club as the Player of the Year in 2007/2008 season.

I loved playing as a striker early in my soccer life. I joined Kaizer Chiefs development as a striker but due to chest pains I did not make progress there. One day there was no goalkeeper and I asked if I could help and the rest is history.

I just want to know what are your impressions of our media. How do you react when you read a newspaper and get negative stories about yourself or your teammate?


Katlego Seripe

Itumeleng Khune: The media (smiling). I am caught in between on this one; the media is sometimes with you and sometimes not with you. Personally I feel that they have power to write everything they want even without getting facts at times. I do have a good relationship though with the media and I always respect their opinion.

I just want to know where you hang out during your free time and where do you stay?


Prince Makitla

Itumeleng Khune: I spend a lot of my time at home in Roodepoort playing FIFA 2010 Playstation.

Most players become broke when their careers end, what are you future plans to avoid this? How do you rate your central defenders, particularly Thabang Rooi? Do you prefer ladies with weave or natural hair?


Blom Isaac

Itumeleng Khune: I am saving a lot and I am also involved in a property business. Football though - not business - is a priority for me.

Thabang is a very good defender, a very good listener. He works together with goalkeepers for the team. When we get a clean sheet we all celebrate together. I am happy with the central defence we have. Yes, we have had moments where we have not done well this season but in my opinion I think we are solid at the back.

Your last question is tricky…mhmmm; I prefer both (smiling).

Where did it all start for you and who motivated you? How do you handle criticism?


Molope Charlie

Itumeleng Khune: It all started at Primary School back in Ventersdorp but it was at Kaizer Chiefs Development where I started taking the game seriously. There are lots of people who have played a huge role for me to be where I am today; even today I rely on some to help me keep my feet on the ground.

I must admit that at times it is very difficult for one to deal with critics. It is important though that you listen to what people say about you whether it is good or bad. I always try to be positive at all times and just focus on working on my game.

I want to know what keeps you going each and every day to do so well on each and every game?


Jim Maluleka

Itumeleng Khune: Credit should go to everyone who always has positive words to encourage me more especially when chips are down. When I go to the field, I always make sure I give extra to make them proud. I am thankful to the likes of our goalkeeper coach Rainer Dinkelacker and others who keep me motivated to do well all the time.

What goes through your mind in the tunnel on your way to the pitch when you hear vuvuzelas and what do you usually tell your back four when you shouting at them?


Bheki Maseko

Itumeleng Khune: (Jumps in) The fans! I always think about all the fans that have spent their last cent to come watch us play. I always want to make them happy when they leave the stadium.

It is important as a goalkeeper that you always give instructions to your defenders as you have a better view of the game. Sometimes I call them to stand at the right position, for cover or to man mark. I am lucky that I am playing with guys who understand what needs to be done.

After sustaining that injury in August against Ajax Cape Town, I noticed that you were very aggressive, retaliating, was that because of the feeling that the referees do not protect you?


Beaver

Itumeleng Khune: I do not think so; I believe that the referees do their best on the pitch and it is not for me to judge them. I continue to respect the referee’s decision and I always do my best to obey them all the time.

Having returned from injury, I had personal problems and was a bit frustrated and that led me doing things that I did not mean to do.

Is there any chance of seeing you playing in England in the near future?


Ntobeko Sibiya

Itumeleng Khune: I would not mind to play anywhere in Europe in the future. I now have a three-year contract with Kaizer Chiefs that I have to honour and that is what I am thinking about now.

What is your take on players who break other players legs, what kind of punishment should be given to them. Rowen Fernandez used to take both penalties and free kicks, you should do the same?


Mzukisi Fani

Itumeleng Khune: I cannot even watch that on television, it is scary! I do not think players go intentionally to break other players legs. I think at times when teams are losing, players take it personally and think that injuring a player will make them feel better. It is wrong! However, it is not for me to suggest on what punishment should be given to them…it happens in football and I know that one day it might happen to me.

It is funny that you are raising the question about me taking free kicks. Today (Friday) after training I was taking set pieces together with Knowledge (Musona), (Thomas) Sweswe and Tinashe (Nengomasha) and I did well beating both Arthur Bartman and Thela Ngobeni a couple of times.

They asked me on why I am not taking them during the game…it is something that I can do but also I do not want to do everything. I go up the field, miss a free kick and I have to rush back to the goals feeling that I should have scored. I enjoy stopping them at this stage than putting them at the back of the net (smiling).

How does it feel to have achieved so much in football and how do people treat you now that you are a star?

Itumeleng Khune: I still have a lot to offer for both the Club and the country. I do not feel I have achieved anything at this stage, and that is why I work hard every day at training to improve as a player. I always put the team first and if Chiefs and Bafana Bafana become successful for me it is much bigger than getting personal accolades. On treatment, back home people still treat me normally but sometimes you get those who are always very happy to see me. “Here is our goalkeeper”, it does make me proud to know that I am bringing smiles to other people.

If you were to get an offer from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates double what you currently earning at Kaizer Chiefs?


Ellina Ngoma

Itumeleng Khune: I am very happy here at Kaizer Chiefs and I am not thinking about any move now. The other jersey I am thinking about wearing is the national team, Bafana Bafana jersey!

Do you have a child? Do you have a crush on a celebrity? Are you a Christian and who is your local favourite player local and abroad?


Xolelwa Govu

Itumeleng Khune: I do not have a child for one reason because I am still a child myself. I do have a crush on Rihanha and of course Keri Hilson, she is hot! I am a Christian and I go to church, Broers and Sisters back home in Ventersdorp every time I get chance. Locally my favourite player has always been Brian Baloyi and he is still my idol. Overseas, it has to be Pepe Rainer of Spain and Liverpool. I had a chance to exchange jerseys with him during the Confederations Cup. It is was such a special moment and I also managed to exchange jerseys with Brazil’s Julio Caesar and Spain no. 1, Ike Cassilas.

I realized that you outdo yourself when you are wearing the red jersey, you do not do well in the green one, but the blue one eish!


Matome Maenetja

Itumeleng Khune: (Laughing) I remember discussing this with one of the officials at the Club. We used the red goalkeeper jersey in 2007/2008 season and I must say I did very well every time I used that one. I think because of the colour, RED it sort of scared opposition players (laughing).

I debuted in 2007 with a green jersey and that one will always be special for me. Mhmmm, the blue one…! I got my first red card wearing that jersey when we played against Black Leopards. I remember conceding four goals against Manchester United at Loftus Stadium wearing the same colour.

My favourite this season is the TEAL jersey I wore during the Soweto derby recently at Orlando Stadium and against Mpumalanga Black Aces last week at Loftus Stadium.

Did you have a chance to represent your school during your school days? What are you doing for the youngsters in North West?


Pouvdel Serame

Itumeleng Khune: Oh yes, I remember doing well during my days at Primary (Litshelemane) back home. I was already playing for the A-Team at an age of 12. This trend continued when I always played and competed with bigger boys. It was the same when I was promoted at Chiefs at a tender age of 17 and Bafana Bafana I had to compete with bigger and older guys. This is helped me in terms of mental toughness.

I own a club in North West, Khune FC. We recently got a promotion to Castle Third Division and I remember jumping up and down in joy having achieved that feat. My mother is the one currently running the club, as I have to focus on playing. My brother, Lucky Khune played a huge role as well in forming that club.

He and his mates used to hang out at our house and one day they thought of starting a club. I supported the idea and contributed with a few cents during my time at the development, and when I was named Telkom Knockout ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ they decided to name the club after me. I hope the club will, in the long run, produce players who will be able to play at the highest level. This is a project that I am very passionate about.

You represented SA well during Confederations Cup and helped the Club to lift the MTN trophy in 2008. Where do you see yourself in a few years time and what are your dreams regarding the upcoming World Cup?


Mfundo Majoka

Itumeleng Khune: I think we all did well as a collective during the Confederations Cup and it is the same with MTN Final against Mamelodi Sundowns last season. Like I said before, my focus right now is right here at Kaizer Chiefs and of course I want to be part of Bafana Bafana during the World Cup here.

Everyone wants to be part of that 23 men squad and we all want to be in the starting line up at Soccer City on June 11. I am excited about making the 29 men squad going to Brazil next week and I am going to continue fighting for my place in the squad.

You are the Team’s Finest! Can you also explain exactly what happened during your accident last year?


Booysen Dikeledi

Itumeleng Khune: Thank you for the compliment but I do not think I am the best here. As for the accident, it something I have put behind me and do not like talking about it.

What is the reaction of people when you walk in the malls and the streets? How do you feel about the attention you get?


Reagan Mabunda

Itumeleng Khune: I always make time for fans and I just smile, listen to what ever they have to say. I always feel that I owe fans something because they cheer you up and follow our games throughout the country. The only thing you can do as a player is to respect them.

Have you thought of playing against your brother in the near future? Should it happen how would you feel?


Fanelekile “Fanza” Ntlanganiso

Itumeleng Khune: I have not given it much thought, all I can tell you is that there is already a lot of competition between us at training. He always tries to score against me. Lucky can shoot with both feet and as a goalkeeper you need to be careful (smiling). It is funny sometimes because, Coach Vlad (Vladimir Vermezovic) will always be on his side encouraging him to score while Rainer (Dinkelacker) will be on my side encouraging me to stop him from scoring.

Can you tell me how you overcome the fear of being blasted by those shots from the strikers especially on the front ‘sensitive’ area, or do you wear something underneath?


Mabutho Moyo

Itumeleng Khune: (Laughing) the most important thing for me is to stop opposition strikers from scoring and I will use every part of my body including the ‘front sensitive area’. I do not wear anything underneath (smiling).

Tell me about your competition with Arthur Bartman…


Joe Phasha

Itumeleng Khune: Arthur has proven that he is one of the best goalkeepers around and has done well for the Club every time has been given an opportunity by the Coach. There is a lot of competition among the goalkeepers at Chiefs and we are all aware that out of five goalkeepers, only one goalkeeper will play. The one who has been given the nod - it is good luck to him and others will support the one manning the poles.

It is the same with the national team, when Emille plays or Moeneeb (Josephs) I support them and they do the same with me. I have never shied away from competition since my days at Kaizer Chiefs Development and competition can only make you a better player.

Kaizerchiefs.com together with Itumeleng Khune would like to thank all those who took time to send questions through.