Posted in News on Mar 14, 2007.
The South Africans holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg which was played in Potchefstroom last month. A win a draw and even a loss by a single goal will be able to see Amaglug glug through to the next stage of qualifying, Khune though is only thinking about nothing else but keeping a clean sheet against the young Kranes.
Amaglug glug will get together for their March 24th encounter with the Ugandan’s on the 18th March and will fly out to Uganda on the 21st March, which means that Khune will be unavailable for the Kaizer Chiefs reserves teams top of the table clash against the Orlando Pirates Reserves.
Khune who thus far participated in the Chiefs reserves teams past three games since the league began back in February, has helped the Amakhosi reserves occupy joint first place with their Soweto rivals Pirates. Khune though does believe that the reserve league games have kept him match sharp and is a definite plus factor for him going into the game against the Ugandans.
“I always felt that I needed to play more competitive matches in order to be give my best for the national team, having played in the three reserves team games I know has improved my confidence and it has allowed for me to work on various aspects of my game that I felt needed attention,” said Khune.
The young goalkeeper explained further that he is benefiting from the strong competition in the reserve league as he continued on by adding; “All the games in the reserve league thus far have been tough, I would probably say that the SuperSport game was our toughest to date and having been able to keep a clean sheet against them was really good for me. Having gotten some game time and making a number of saves and wiping off the cobwebs, will hopefully allow for me to translate my reserve team form into a good sound performance for the under 23’s”.
Such is the confidence and upbeat mood of Rowen Fernandez understudy that he is not phased by the fact that he has to play such an important game in his young career, away from South Africa in front of what will be partisan home support in the Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala.
Khune said on this issue; “I must say that the fact that the under 23 team have played in many competitions around the world, has prepared us to play under varying physical and mental conditions. It has also conditioned us as we are able to deal with the home fans easier, when I get into the stadium I will block out the home fans and just get on with the job. After this there is the group stage of qualification and we will in all likelihood meet tougher opposition and their supporters later on, right now getting into the next phase of qualification is all that is on my mind."
Itumeleng Khune will embark on the next step on the long journey to Beijing with some handy tips from fellow team mates Rowen Fernandez and Emile Baron, both of whom were part of the South African team that qualified when South Africa qualified for the first time for an Olympic football tournament at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Equipped with the advice of those who have already travelled down the track to Olympic dreamland, Khune will be have a first hand guide book on how to handle whatever might come his way on the 24th March in Kampala.
South African National Under –23 Team to face Uganda on the 24th March 2007
Goalkeepers: Senzo Meyiwa (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Tshepo Masilela (Benoni Premier United), Jefferey Ntuka (Westerlo Bel), James Madidilane (Bloemfontein Celtic), Vincent Kobala (Winners Park), Kirk Leray (FC AK), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates), Luvhengo Mungomeni (Black Leopards)
Midfielders: Bryce Moon (Ajax Cape Town), Mkhanyiseli Siwahla (Ajax Cape Town), Bernard Parker (Benoni Premier United), Richard Rantjie (SuperSport United), Masilo Modubi (Westerlo Bel), S’busisio Hadebe (Jomo Cosmos), Lance Davids (Djugardens SWE),
Strikers: Lebohang Mokoena (Orlando Pirates), Erwin Isaacs (Santos), Eleazor Rodgers (Santos), Lerato Chabangu (Mamelodi Sundowns).
