There is no doubt that the Ventersdorp born 21 year old has stood shoulders above the rest in the past 18 months.

Unknown to many before making his long awaited derby against Jomo Cosmos in August 2007, Itu quickly took South African football by storm and was an inspiration as Chiefs won the Telkom Knockout last season. He went on to win numerous awards becoming South Africa’s no. 1 goalkeeper.

Lately though he went through a rough patch and some questioned his commitment and raised the ‘age’ as a factor to his performance between the poles both at Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana level.

“I am young but I do no like using age as an excuse. If you have talent and are given an opportunity, you must grab the opportunity with both hands and not rely on excuses. Some people say I am too young, but to me that doesn’t matter. I want to be judged on my performances.” He told FIFA.com.

Having arrived at a tender age of Kaizer Chiefs Village, “Itu” joined as a striker but due to chest problems he found himself being reduced to a ‘ball boy’. He dived for balls that had missed the target and with junior coach, Terror Sephoa watching, the youngster ‘behind’ the poles caught the coach’s attention.

The under 13 goalkeeper was injured and “Itu” was given a chance to stand in between the poles for the Club’s U13 - from there he never looked back.

South Africa is lucky to have top keepers and Itumeleng Khune continues to learn from his mentor Goalkeeper Coach Rainer Dinkelacker, his former teammate, Rowen Fernandez, Moneeb Joseph including his childhood idol, Brain Baloyi.

“I have nothing but respect for all the guys competing for the jersey,” he continued. “At the end of the day, it will come down to who wants it the most. I know that it won’t be handed to me, I have to work hard for it, I have to earn it and I am ready to fight for it,” he told FIFA.com