Goalkeeper and Captain, Itumeleng Khune revealed to kaizerchiefs.com that he had no plans to leave the club for a local team as reported in the media.

Khune who joined the Club at the age 12 signed a three year contract with the Club pouring water to the speculation that he wanted away from the Club.

“I am happy to have extended my stay with the team. I grew up here and I never saw myself starting a new life in another local team. It is good for other players to do this but for me if I leave Chiefs then it would be for Europe with the blessings of the Club.

“I share the culture of the Club which is to win trophies. I am forever grateful to my previous coaches at Development who saw something in me when I came through as a youngster for trials.

The current Technical Team has also contributed a lot to my growth both as a player and the person. I know that I can still improve in all aspects of my game and there is still a lot to win with the Club. I want to be part of this,”

Khune joined his teammates for the first time this week for full training; “I have been working very hard taking into consideration that the first time I trained was before the Bafana Bafana game back in October. I have been pushing myself in training and you can ask Goalkeeper Coach Rainer Dinkelacker I have been working really hard.

“It is my ambition to win back the no. 1 jersey both at Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana. Take nothing from Arthur Bartman who has been doing very well for us. It will be up to the Coach to decide on who plays. If Arthur gets the nod, I will support him he has always done that to me. We also have Thela (Ngobeni) and Metsi (Kabelo Metsimetsi) who have been pushing us hard in training.

Khune is aware that the second half of the season will be more difficult as compared to the first round; “I think it will be important that if I get a nod as a Captain as well that I lead from the front. If we keep at least more than eight clean sheets in the next 15 games then it will boost the team do well.

“We are quite aware that the teams will be more difficult as the first for the title will be as fierce as ever. Other teams will be fighting for top eight while others will be fighting relegation. Having said that there are no smaller teams in the PSL now and we will have to give our best and give back to the Amakhosi faithful,” added Khune.