While The Amakhosi will only return to training officially on the 11th January goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has returned early from his home town of Ventersdorp in the North West Province to Johannesburg, to continue working on his fitness and be mentally and physically ready for what is going to be a busy 2010 for the 23 year old keeper at club and international level.

The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper who had an enjoyable and relaxing time over the festive season with friends and family in Ventersdorp is quietly confident that the year ahead will bring a lot of reward with it for Chiefs.

New Years Wish

Itumeleng, who has his own football club in Ventersdorp which he started just over eight years ago, celebrated a joyous end to year 2009 with members of the team aptly named Khune FC who participate in one of the regional leagues in the North West Province.

“It was a happy Christmas and New Year for myself and the players from Khune FC as they finished 2009 five points clear on top of the league table, hopefully they can maintain their form and win promotion to the SAFA 3rd Division”.

The Chiefs net minder's hope is for FC Khune and The Amakhosi to have a successful opening few months to the new year of this he said, “we begin a new year with the old desire to be successful, we obviously want to finish the season well which will mean that we have to work hard over the next month to be ready for a very challenging February”.

Hard Labour

Khune who was sent off against Amazulu during a league encounter on the 23rd December which was Chiefs last game of 2009 will miss The Amakhosi’s first two fixtures when PSL action resumes on the 3rd February against Moroka Swallows and 3 days later against Jomo Cosmos.

Believes that training regularly during the break and sticking to a fitness routine that was prescribed to him by the Chiefs technical team, will come in handy for him in the latter parts of the season as he divulged.

“I know that missing those first games against Swallows and Cosmos will not be a good thing as it means that I will have to fight again for my place in the team should I want to play in the final four games of the campaign.

"I will prepare myself by working hard at training and keeping myself match sharp by using the friendly games that we will play in January to ensure that if I do play in those final four games I am match fit and ready to help the team end the season on a successful note”.