Itumeleng Issac Khune, a South African professional soccer player who competes for both the South African national team and Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League, was born on June 20, 1987. Itumeleng Issac Khune, a South African professional soccer player who competes for both the South African national team and Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League, was born on June 20, 1987.
Biography profile of Itumeleng Khune
Full name : Itumeleng Khune
Gender : Male
Age : 36 years old
Date of birth : 20 June 1987
Place of birth : Tshing, Ventersdorp, North West province
Nationality : South African
Occupation : Footballer (Goal Keeper for Kaizer Chiefs )
Height : 1.81m
Early life of Khune
Khune was one of the six children born to Elias and Flora Khune in Tshing, Ventersdorp in the North West. He has Tswana ancestry. Elias, his father, was a striker in amateur football and a driver in a mine in Carletonville. Khune was in love with cricket and idolised Nicky Boje, in contrast to many South African players who credit playing football in the arid streets of their hometown as their starting point. He ultimately made the decision to seek a career in football in order to provide for his family and himself. [1]
International Career
He was a member of the Bafana Bafana team that competed in the 2008 African Nations Cup, although he did not play until his debut against Zimbabwe on March 11, 2008. Joel Santana, the coach at the time, has since made him his first pick for the position.
At the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Khune was South Africa’s first-choice custodian. During the group stage, he turned aside a penalty against Spanish great David Villa. Carlos Alberto Parreira’s first-choice custodian, Khune, was chosen for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and he performed admirably in the tournament’s opening match against Mexico.
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Education and personal life of Itumeleng Khune
He ultimately made the decision to seek a career in football in order to provide for his family and himself. He attended the high schools RW Fick, New Nation, Westridge, and St. Barnabas. His younger brother Lucky Khune currently plays in the PSL for Chippa United after having previously played as a striker for Chiefs. Khune has earned the moniker “Spider-Man” thanks to his quick reflexes and adaptable goalkeeping abilities. Khune married Sphelele Makhunga in a traditional ceremony in 2019. [2]
Football Career of Itumeleng Khune
He started playing professional football as a defender. He visited Chiefs in 1999 for trials. He became a ball boy after experiencing chest issues during a junior game.
In a match against Jomo Cosmos in August 2007, Khune made his debut in the PSL. He won Keeper of the Year honours for the 2013–14 football season. This marks the second time in a row that he has received the honour. He was identified as having a Grade 3 stress fracture in September 2014. He has been ill since February of that year.
His contract with Kaizer Chief expired in June 2015, and it was not extended. After extensive discussions, Khune returned to the squad, Chiefs, on July 30, that same year, after signing a new deal. He made his Bafana Bafana debut in March 2008, playing for the team in an African Nations Cup match. Despite being a member of the team, he did not participate in the game. He was the SA team’s first-choice goaltender at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Throughout the 2013 African Cup Nations competitions, he represented his nation’s team. He was selected as the team’s captain in May of the same year and served in that capacity for the duration of the 2014 African Nations Championship.
He was chosen as one of the SA’s overage players for the 2016 Summer Olympics. In South Africa’s opening match tie against Brazil, Khune had a significant impact. He made some incredible saves during the game to keep star player Neymar from scoring multiple goals.
Style of Play
Khune is ranked 525th overall and among the top 10 goalkeepers in FIFA 15 by FifaPlayerRatings.com. A player with “higher than average diving skills and reflexes, making him a skilled close-shot and free-kick stopper with elite kicking abilities and accurate goal kicks and punts, taking pressure off his defence and creating attacking opportunities for his offence,” Khune is characterised as having. He is technically adept with both of his weak feet, therefore under pressure, he can accurately clear the ball with either foot. [3]
Personal life of Itumeleng Khune
A well-known South African model named Sphelele Makhunga is married to Itumeleng Khune. Three years after becoming husband and wife in 2017, the couple’s love has only grown. The pair is still working towards some important relationship objectives. Amogelang Zenande Khune, a baby girl, is the pride of their parents and a second born by Unknown name. Nevertheless, his wife is ten years younger than Itumeleng.
