Molefi Ntseki Explains Itumeleng Khune’s Selection!

Molefi Ntseki Explains Itumeleng Khune’s Selection! The Bafana Bafana head coach raised many eyebrows with the selection of Khune.

Itumeleng Khune has probably endured the worst season of his illustrious career. It has been blighted with costly errors and an unconvincing Kaizer Chiefs team in front of him.

He made errors in consecutive matches against Black Leopards and SuperSport United back in December. He was also at fault for Majoro’s winner against AmaZulu in February.

The veteran goalkeeper conceded 4 goals against Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League on Sunday (28 February 2021). Ntseki elaborates that he had a lengthy telephonic conversation with Khune.

“When it comes to Itumeleng Khune, he made glaring mistakes against SuperSport and Black Leopards,” Ntseki told the media.

“When I spoke to [goalkeeper] coach Lee Baxter about the situation, he said to me they brought Itumeleng Khune into a meeting to find out what actually happened.

“As Itumeleng Khune was explaining the situation, it was just one of those mistakes that you make in your career that you want to forget as quickly as possible, because he said to them he was trying to play from the back and, as a result, they read into the pass and he made that mistake.” Ntseki said.

Khune has had a tumultuous season so far under Gavin Hunt. Remarkably, he has also been stripped off the captain’s armband, which has now gone to Ramahlwe Mphahlele.

“Recently I also spoke to Itumeleng about his situation. We had a very lengthy telephonic discussion and he was explaining to me what he is going through as a person,” he continued.

“What I said to him is that, ‘You must also consider giving respect to your career and giving respect to the profession you are in. You are not growing any younger, [so] it’s also important for you to be a leader in terms of how you do things’.

“When it comes to training and his conduct at the club, the coach is very happy with him in terms of being on time for training and in also giving his best.” He says.

Ntseki sees the value of having someone of Khune’s pedigree in the squad. He is the most experienced player in the current crop of Bafana Bafana stars.

“Seeing him playing in the past two matches, it was based on the attitude he was showing at training and the club felt that they need to give him a chance,” he added.

“He has since been doing well, apart from conceding the four goals against Casablanca over the weekend. Any human being has got those bad patches in life and I think Itumeleng Khune is not different.

“We are just looking forward to bringing in an Itumeleng Khune who will be focused on the camp and who will help the team going forward.” He concluded.

Molefi Ntseki Explains Itumeleng Khune’s Selection!