Itumeleng Khune Given Outline On When He Can Return to Kaizer Chiefs First Team

• Itumeleng Khune has been suspended since late November following an alcohol-related incident
• Khune has spent 16 years at the club, winning two league titles and seven domestic cup trophies
• The DStv Premiership takes a six-week break after which fans may see the return of Khune

A gloved talisman may be on the brink of a triumphant return.

Kaizer Chiefs' enigmatic goalkeeper is on the road to recovery with a best-case-scenario diagnosis bringing Itumeleng Khune sooner rather than later.

Amakhosi have outlined the steps needing to be taken, giving Khune a step-by-step guide that will lead him back to Naturena.

Khune was suspended and stripped of the captaincy after allegedly arriving for training with alcohol still in his system after a big night out.

Word from behind the scenes at Naturena is that Khune has begun his personal development programme which is set to be completed at the end of January.

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The programme includes a host of therapy and counselling sessions, which work toward a final assessment. Soccer Laduma quoted their source, saying:

"By February he could have gone through the whole process and be ready to return to training. The decision on whether he plays or not will be taken after the technical team sees him in training."

An unprofessional level of drinking is reportedly rife in South African football, with former Chiefs player Tinashe Nengomasha saying it has been prevalent for years.

Nengomasha said they were fortunate to have a player's committee that resolved issues before public scrutiny complicated matters. He stated that Khune deserved support, telling Goal:

“Everyone makes blunders, and sometimes these matters must be dealt with silently to avoid such humiliation because we are all human.”

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A list of Khune's achievements

Sports Brief recently compiled a list of Itumeleng Khune's greatest career achievements.

Itumeleng Khune has played for Kaizer Chiefs for 16 years, amassing a list of accolades.

In total, Khune has made 345 appearances for Kaizer Chiefs, keeping 151 clean sheets.