Itumeleng Khune: Kaizer Chiefs Coach Calls for Proper Recognition of Goalkeeper's Illustrious Career

• Cavin Johnson believes Itumeleng Khune deserves respect for 25 years with Kaizer Chiefs
• The veteran goalkeeper's future at Amakhosi remains uncertain after limited playtime
• Khune insists his football career is not over despite recent honours suggesting a farewell

Kaizer Chiefs interim coach, Cavin Johnson, has called for the club to properly recognize and celebrate the illustrious career of their long-serving goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune.

According to Johnson, the veteran, who has dedicated 25 years of his life to the Amakhosi, deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and admiration.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper was on the bench during Chiefs' final match of the DStv Premiership campaign, where he was warmly greeted by the fans at the DHL Stadium.

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Johnson argued that Khune's dedication and achievements should be celebrated in a manner befitting of a true legend.

"If you look at anywhere in the world when a player has given his 25 years to a particular club, and within that period, he won games, won trophies, saved their positions, then whatever he’s getting now is not what I’ve seen at other levels. At a different level, I’ve seen people stand up when they see a man like that," Johnson said, as reported by iDiski Times.

Unfortunately, he acknowledged that the culture of honouring such long-serving players is not as prominent in South Africa as it is in other parts of the world.

Khune, who has made over 400 appearances for the Glamour Boys and won the DStv Premiership three times (2005, 2013, 2015), has had a bit-part role in the club's recent campaign.

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He was honoured by the club during their goalless draw with Polokwane City, but his future remains uncertain. Despite his limited playing time this season, he insisted that his football story is not over.

"It’s not a farewell. The club made it clear that they are honouring me for 25 years of service. They didn’t say, ‘we’re bidding farewell to Itumeleng Khune’, he said, per Sowetan Live.

Johnson stresses Chiefs' transfer policy

Sports Brief reported on Johnson's insistence that Kaizer Chiefs did not need the January transfer window.

Amakhosi brought in 10 new players in July last year, and the interim boss said he had enough quality to work with.

They resumed their season with a goalless draw against Royal AM, immediately prompting calls for a goalscorer.