Posted in News, Team News on Dec 09, 2020.
Amakhosi captain Itumeleng Khune is geared up and focused on the club’s next DStv Premiership game against Black Leopards this evening at the club’s home ground, the FNB Stadium.
Leopards are no new opponents for Khune. He has come up against the team from Thohoyandou in five league games, which have all been action packed encounters. So, the Chiefs goalkeeper is well aware of the challenge that’s in front of them.
Speaking after Amakhosi’s morning training session on Tuesday Khune firstly reflected on Chiefs’ progression in the CAF Champions League after overcoming Cameroonian side PWD Bamenda. “We had two great games in the Champions League,” he said. “Going through to the next round is a good morale booster for us. We now have to shift our focus back to the DStv Premiership.”
Focusing on Leopards, whom Khune first faced in a league game on 22 December 2007, gave the following assessment: “It’s not going to be easy. But we have good energy and we have a great attitude in the camp at the moment. We are looking forward to hosting Black Leopards on Wednesday evening. Obviously winning the game and making our supporters proud are our biggest priorities.”
While both Chiefs and Leopards have not made ideal starts to the season, Khune is targeting a win against Lidoda Duvha this evening. He believes victory will spark a turnaround in Chiefs’ fortunes.
“We did not start the season well,” he admits. “We have a chance on Wednesday against Leopards who have also not been doing too well. We stand a great chance of getting a positive result because of the confidence we gained against Bamenda.”
While happy that football is back, Khune is missing having fans in the stadium and has made that clear. “Everyone is getting used to the ‘new normal’ but it’s been difficult,” he confesses. “We are used to playing in packed stadiums and we miss our fans. They are the driving force behind the team. They give us a lot of confidence going into games. There is a big difference in not having them in the stadium but it’s encouraging to know they are rooting for us from home. We promise them that will continue working hard and push for positive results whenever we play.”
While Chiefs’ start to the 2020-21 league campaign has not been ideal, Khune who is playing in his 14th league campaign since his debut in 2007-08, believes that the team has the ability and the experience to take charge of the current situation and turn things around.
“I have been in this situation before,” he says in conclusion. “it takes a lot of courage from every individual to make the team tick and to get the confidence behind everyone in the team. It requires all of us to work hard and be leaders on the field. As the captain, I just wear the armband, but all the guys are leaders. The sooner we understand that, we as a team can change the situation for the better.”
Chiefs will be hoping to make the climb up the log table with three vital points against Leopards, which will keep them in good stead with a host of fixtures both domestically and in continental competition to come this month.
The match this evening kicks off at 19:30. It will be shown on DStv Channel 202, with commentary on SABC radio.
Leopards are no new opponents for Khune. He has come up against the team from Thohoyandou in five league games, which have all been action packed encounters. So, the Chiefs goalkeeper is well aware of the challenge that’s in front of them.
Speaking after Amakhosi’s morning training session on Tuesday Khune firstly reflected on Chiefs’ progression in the CAF Champions League after overcoming Cameroonian side PWD Bamenda. “We had two great games in the Champions League,” he said. “Going through to the next round is a good morale booster for us. We now have to shift our focus back to the DStv Premiership.”
Focusing on Leopards, whom Khune first faced in a league game on 22 December 2007, gave the following assessment: “It’s not going to be easy. But we have good energy and we have a great attitude in the camp at the moment. We are looking forward to hosting Black Leopards on Wednesday evening. Obviously winning the game and making our supporters proud are our biggest priorities.”
While both Chiefs and Leopards have not made ideal starts to the season, Khune is targeting a win against Lidoda Duvha this evening. He believes victory will spark a turnaround in Chiefs’ fortunes.
“We did not start the season well,” he admits. “We have a chance on Wednesday against Leopards who have also not been doing too well. We stand a great chance of getting a positive result because of the confidence we gained against Bamenda.”
While happy that football is back, Khune is missing having fans in the stadium and has made that clear. “Everyone is getting used to the ‘new normal’ but it’s been difficult,” he confesses. “We are used to playing in packed stadiums and we miss our fans. They are the driving force behind the team. They give us a lot of confidence going into games. There is a big difference in not having them in the stadium but it’s encouraging to know they are rooting for us from home. We promise them that will continue working hard and push for positive results whenever we play.”
While Chiefs’ start to the 2020-21 league campaign has not been ideal, Khune who is playing in his 14th league campaign since his debut in 2007-08, believes that the team has the ability and the experience to take charge of the current situation and turn things around.
“I have been in this situation before,” he says in conclusion. “it takes a lot of courage from every individual to make the team tick and to get the confidence behind everyone in the team. It requires all of us to work hard and be leaders on the field. As the captain, I just wear the armband, but all the guys are leaders. The sooner we understand that, we as a team can change the situation for the better.”
Chiefs will be hoping to make the climb up the log table with three vital points against Leopards, which will keep them in good stead with a host of fixtures both domestically and in continental competition to come this month.
The match this evening kicks off at 19:30. It will be shown on DStv Channel 202, with commentary on SABC radio.
