Posted in News on Aug 18, 2016.
“All what I can say is that I am ready to lead,” enthuses captain and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. “I have led before and I know what the armband comes with. It comes with a lot of pressure.”
As earlier announced, Khune will lead the Amakhosi as the Team Captain going into the new season. “I enjoy playing under pressure because it brings the best out of me. And, I am able to pass this to my teammates. Our supporters demand results. We are ready to defend the badge and make our supporters happy.”
Khune was part of South Africa’s Under-23s that played at the recent 2016 Rio Olympics.
“It was a good experience,” reflects the goalkeeper. “We wanted to get to the knockout stage, but unfortunately our best effort was not enough to take us through. We just have to take the positives to build on towards the World Cup qualifiers.”
Khune also revealed his appreciation for having the opportunity to have played at both the World Cup (2010) and the Olympics (2016): “I am grateful for that. It is also a humbling privilege to be captain at both the national team and the leading South African football club, Kaizer Chiefs. I love the responsibility and will do my best to lead both Bafana Bafana and Amakhosi to the glory days.”
“It is good to be back,” comments Khune about returning from Rio. “I am happy to see my teammates and the Chiefs Family. We are looking forward to working hard, as always. The mood in the team is full of high expectations. We are working hard as a team and things are looking good for the season.”
With the Amakhosi facing Bidvest Wits in their opening fixture of the 2016/17 Absa Premiership, Khune declares: “We are all excited to start with the new season. We are carrying the hopes of our supporters and we don’t want to let them down. I kept in touch with the team when I was in Rio and everyone is raring to go, starting with Wits next week. We are ready to do well this season.”
Chiefs will take a short trip to the Bidvest Stadium to face Wits at Johannesburg’s Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday, 23 August. Kick-off is at 19:30.
