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Goal explains why Amakhosi’s mentor has to make a big decision regarding the club captain
Itumeleng Khune has been struggling to stay in shape amid Kaizer Chiefs’ dire start to the 2020/21 season.
The seasoned goalkeeper has now made two mistakes that have resulted in goals in as many games, which have left Amakhosi winless in his last five Premier Soccer League games.
Less than a week after handing over possession to Ovidy Karuru, who later scored during a 2-2 draw with Black Leopards, Khune made a similar mistake against SuperSport United on Tuesday night.
Generally reliable with his distribution of the ball, Khune attempted to pass a pass to Philani Zulu and the ball was intercepted by the opposition who then scored through Bradley Grobler when the Chiefs suffered a 2-1 loss to SuperSport.
Both errors have come when the score was 0-0. They both put the Chiefs on defense, and eventually the team lost points.
International Bafana Bafana was restored as Amakhosi’s starting goalkeeper by coach Gavin Hunt last month, replacing Daniel Akpeyi.
It was a chance for Khune to prove himself after enduring a frustrating 2019/20 season in which he played a supporting role against Nigerian international Akpeyi, who had a successful campaign.
However, Khune has been unable to seize the opportunity Hunt provides as his mistakes are holding the team back.
Hunt’s decision to remove Akpeyi, last season’s PSL goalkeeper of the season nominee, from the starting lineup has yet to be justified.
Akpeyi’s only crime was conceding five goals against the Orlando Pirates in MTN8’s two-game semi-final tie earlier this season, but he was doing well in the league.
The 34-year-old has played two league games this term and kept two clean sheets, with the Chiefs recording a win over Chippa United and a draw against TS Galaxy.
On the other hand, Khune has yet to keep a clean sheet in the league, having conceded 10 goals in five games, which is cause for concern.
Hunt has refused to publicly criticize Khune, who is one of the most influential players in Amakhosi’s dressing room.
However, the 56-year-old mentor will have to make a bold decision with his defense filtering goals mainly due to an out of shape goalkeeper in Khune.
If the Chiefs want a realistic shot at competing for the PSL trophy this season, they need to start winning games early to keep up with the pioneers in the title race.
Amakhosi needs a reliable goalkeeper between the posts to be considered one of the contenders for the title.
Hunt is aware of this and has a big decision to make before the next game for the Soweto giants, which is against Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday.
