Another gloomy day for the Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana skipper. The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune has lost his Danup deal worth R1 million.
In 2016, Khune bagged the Danup drinking yorghurt deal as a brand ambassador which saw him netting R1 million. The drinking yorghurt brand was due to renew it’s contract with Khune but chose not to. This has significantly impacted his endorsement earnings.
When Khune first began working with Danup, Naturena tried to block the deal citing that Khune hadn’t got approval ahead of time. However, Kaizer Chiefs eventually let up leading to a R1 million a year income for the skipper. Khune endorsed the brand and worked with them on a number of advertising campaigns. Being the most followed South African soccer player, his social media provided just the platform for Khune to share the brand during campaigns.
From 2016 it’s been a beautiful R1,million journey until now that the brand has decided to end the partnership.
Although reasons for the end of the deal haven’t been clearly stated, one can safely say Khune’s ailing Kaizer Chiefs career may have been a contributing factor. Khune began the season on a low note with a number of errors on the pitch. Khune is yet to keep a clean sheet this season regardless of the fact that he has started 8 times for Kaizer Chiefs. This resulted in him being benched and losing his first choice status to Daniel Akpeyi. When asked about the situation with Khune, coach Gavin Hunt was quick to note out that he may be expected to start in the nearby future. “He’s very important‚ knowing that we’ve got someone of that calibre pushing to get into the team. So he’s veryMedia important. He’s like any other player‚ he’s got to work hard. There’s no entitlement to a position at a club anywhere. So he’s working hard. He’s doing well. And when his chance comes again hopefully he grabs it. That’s the only thing I can say on the situation,” he said.
This is not the only upside down thing in the skipper”s life. It appears Itumeleng Khune’s wife walked away from him. Itumeleng Khune is reported to have spent Christmas alone as his wife Sphelele walked out of their marital home in Johannesburg with their daughter leaving him to spend Christmas alone. Sphelele Makhunga is said to be “fed up” with Khune. The skipper has had pictures and videos with other women surface more than once.