Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is aiming to emulate Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon by playing into his forties with the 36-year-old Kaizer Chiefs captain negotiating a new contract.
Chiefs announced at the start of the season that the club had agreed new one-year deal with Khune but added that the contract would be Khune's final deal as a player at the club.
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Player Updates!
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) June 30, 2023
Khune Pens His Final Chiefs Contract as Player
Kaizer Chiefs' longest serving player and Club captain, Itumeleng Khune, has been handed a new contract which will see him play for Amakhosi for one final season, taking his professional career to two decades.… pic.twitter.com/LgnjotAE1K
However, speaking to media ahead of Saturday's Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates, Khune reaffirmed his desire to earn a new contract at Chiefs to continue playing.
"That is also not guaranteed yet (that it will be his last contract). It depends on my performance on the field," Khune said.
"Every player that is registered on the team is willing to work hard, is willing to compete a place and is willing to give it all for the team in every opportunity he gets.
"It's no different to me, whenever I'm given the opportunity to perform so that I can get a new contract.
"I did mention at the start of the new season my body can still carry me until I'm over 40.
"If Buffon can do it until 45, El-Hadary could do it until 44, who am I at the age of 36 to entertain the fact that someone has an idea that Itu must retire and that I must entertain that idea?
Itumeleng Khune = Clutch ??
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) August 28, 2022
Here is a look at the save that sent AmaKhosi well on their to the #MTN8 last four ?? pic.twitter.com/11jGORiv4O
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"The club might have released a statement, well respected, but at the end of the day, I'm competing, I've been playing and it will depend on my performances.
"Come end of the season, we will look at the stats, we will look at what I can still contribute going and we will make a decision and that is when they can make another decision.
"I know in the past, goalkeepers or players have retired and they have had to come out of retirement to come back an compete against. So, it's no different, I'm still compete and I want to continue competing going forward.
Khune has so far made four appearances so far, conceding five goals and is yet to keep a clean sheet for Amakhosi.
Chiefs' match against Pirates will be played at FNB Stadium.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
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