Itumeleng Khune Biography: Age, Car, Wife, Net Worth, Salary, Latest Transfer News Now, Wikipedia
Sarah Rowe
Biography
Itumeleng Isaac Khune (born June 20, 1977) is a South African football goalkeeper who plays for Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League and for the South African national team.
He currently wears the Captain armband for both teams. Khune rose to prominence after saving three penalties from Esrom Nyandoro and Peter Ndlovu, in the Telkom Knockout final against Mamelodi Sundowns on December 1, 2007.
He is also well known for saving a David Villa penalty and proceeding to make a double save in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup group stage game against Spain a few days before his 22nd year anniversary.
Itumeleng Khune | |
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Itumeleng Isaac Khune |
| Stage Name: | Itumeleng Khune |
| Born: | 20 June 1987 (age 36 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Ventersdorp |
| Salary: | N/A |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Parents: | Flora Khune, Elias Khune |
| Siblings: | Makhune Khune, Lucky Khune |
| Girlfriend • Spouse: | Sphelele Makhunga |
| Occupation: | Footballer • Goalkeeper |
| Net Worth: | $1,000,000-$2,000,000 |
Early Life
Itumeleng Khune was one of six children born to Elias Khune and Flora Khune. He was born and raised in Tshing, Ventersdorp, in the North West of South Africa. He is of Tswana ancestry. He was born on the 20th day of June in 1977.
Elias Khune, his father, was an amateur football striker and took up a second job as a driver in a mine in Carletonville to support his family. Unlike many South African athletes who began their careers by playing street football in their local cities, Itumeleng Khune was a cricket fanatic who idolized Nicky Boje.
To support himself and his family, he eventually decided to seek a career in football. His younger brother Lucky Khune was a striker for the Chiefs and now plays for Chippa United in the Premier Soccer League.
Mapula Khune, his sister, died tragically in the early hours of Thursday, March 4, 2021, when the room she was in caught fire. His siblings are Makhune Khune and Lucky Khune.
Career
Itumeleng Khune began his career as a defender when he joined Kaiser Chiefs for trials in 1999, but he only took up the gloves by happenstance after experiencing chest troubles during a junior game and was downgraded to a ball boy.
Terror Sephoa, a youth coach, noticed him diving for footballs that had missed the mark and converted him to a goalie. He was promoted to the first team in 2004. Khune eventually received his chance in the early stages of the 2007–08 season, three years after joining the club with the departure of the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, Rowen Fernandez to after he moved to the German club, Arminia Bielefeld.
Itumeleng Khune was promoted to number one by then-Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral because of injury to the seasoned Emile Baron. On August 25, 2007, he made his PSL debut against Jomo Cosmos. His debut season in the Premier League was a huge success, with multiple match-winning performances for his team earning him a slew of individual honors, and Chiefs having the league’s best defensive record, conceding only 19 goals in 30 games.
Despite the fact that Chiefs finished third in the rankings and won the MTN Championship in his second season, he struggled to rediscover his earlier form and consistency.
Unfortunately, Itumeleng Khune was sidelined for three months during the 2009–10 season due to a finger injury, giving backup goalkeeper, Arthur Bartman the opportunity to play regularly in his place.
He took over as captain of Jimmy Tau in October 2011. His best season was 2012–13 when he led his team to a league and cup double. He was also named to Goal.com’s 2013 edition of Goal50, a list of the greatest players in the world in 2013.
He was a member of South Africa’s 2008 African Nations Cup squad but did not play until March 11, 2008, when he made his international debut against Zimbabwe. Joel Santana, the coach at the time, had made him his first choice in goal.
Khune was South Africa’s first-choice goalkeeper in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. In the group stages, he saved a penalty against Spanish great David Villa.
He was named Carlos Alberto Parreira‘s first-choice goalkeeper for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and he produced some impressive saves in the team’s opening match against Mexico.
However, in the 77th minute of a match against Uruguay, he was sent off for tripping forward Luis Suárez inside the penalty area. He joined Gianluca Pagliuca, who was sent out in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, as the second goalie to be sent off in the tournament’s history. This was his first career red card.
Itumeleng Khune played for Bafana Bafana during the 2013 African Cup of Nations, keeping two clean sheets in a goalless draw with Cape Verde and a 2–0 win against Angola. In May 2013, he was named captain, succeeding Bongani Khumalo, and captained Bafana Bafana during the 2014 CHAN in South Africa.
Playing Style
Itumeleng Khune is a player who has higher-than-average diving skills and reflexes, these skills enable him to be an excellent shot-stopper.
He also possesses top-notch ball kicking talents and this allows him to launch accurate goal kicks and to relieve pressure on his defense and allowing his offense to attack.
He is also technically proficient with his weak foot, allowing him to clear the ball with either foot when under pressure from opponents
Honours
- SA Sports Awards Sportsman of the Year 2013
- PSL Footballer of the Year
- Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament 2007
Personal Life
Itumeleng Khune is currently married to Sphelele Makhunga. their union is blessed with a child and they are currently expecting another child.
The South African goalie is a philanthropist and has given a large number of scholarships to young South Africans
Social Media
Itumeleng Khune is not active on any social media platform, however, his pictures can be found on his wife’s handle @laaylaymak
Net Worth
The outstanding South African goalie, Itumeleng Khune has accumulated an estimated net worth of $1,000,000-$2,000,000.
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