Kylian Mbappe's much-talked-about face mask after he broke his nose on Monday bears quite a striking similarity to the one previously worn by former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, right? Here's a look!
The story
Earlier this week, France opened their 2024 UEFA European Championship group campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Austria. While Les Bleus may have gotten off to a good start in the tournament, their captain Mbappe sustained a painful end to the match as he broke his nose after colliding with Austria defender Kevin Danso.
It was initially suggested that the now Real Madrid star would undergo surgery but it was later confirmed that the protective mask would suffice while he continues his recovery ahead of their next game against Netherlands on Friday.
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With images of Mbappe with his new face mask in the colours of France causing quite a frenzy among fans online, South African football lovers will remember that Kaizer Chiefs veteran Khune was in a similar situation.
In 2017 during a game against Chippa United, the shot-stopper was stretchered off the pitch after a gruesome collision with Kurt Lentjies, with both players ending up in hospital as a consequence.
Khune sustained a suspected eye socket injury and the injury could not have come at a worse time, as Bafana had two important 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Senegal in the weeks after the horror incident.
Bafana would unfortunately not qualify for the tournament in Russia, as they were beaten 2-1 away in Dakar and lost 2-0 at home at the Peter Mokaba Stadium - with Khune standing in goal in both games wearing a white face mask with the number 16 on it.
Many will perhaps remember Khune's mask-wearing era for the painful occasion it was for both him and the national team.
Do you think Mbappe and Khune's masks' look similar? Leave a comment below!
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