It’s another sad for Itumeleng Khune’s as his road as Kaizer Chiefs’ captain has come to an end.
Taking his place will be Kaizer Chiefs’ defender, Ramahlwe Mphahlele. For the second time in his career, Itumeleng Khune has been stripped of the armband. This came after another poor show from him.
Khune put on a disappointing in Kaizer Chiefs’ defeat by Amazulu on Wednesday in a DStv premiership clash that ended with a 2-1 win for Amazulu. This was Khune’s return from being benched for close to two months since last year December.
Khune loses Kaizer Chiefs Captain Armband
“Ramahlwe is the captain now. Khune has been out for a long time but Rama is the captain now,” said Gavin Hunt in a post match analysis.
Khune being stripped of his armband might mean he might go back to the bench for a while longer. The goal keeper has conceded 12 goals in six league matches. The goalkeeper has been prone to costly mistakes that have been the team’s achille’s heel. Khune was benched in December after Kaizer Chiefs lost 2-1 to Supersport United. The match against Amazulu was his first match for the 2021 and it unfortunately ended in tears. In January when asked about Khune’s return to the team, Coach Gavin Hunt was optimistic.
“He’s very important‚ knowing that we’ve got someone of that calibre pushing to get into the team. So he’s very 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.
Losing the armband is nothing new to the skipper as he lost his armband before when Stuart Baxter stripped him of his captaincy in 2014-2015. At the time the skipper was going through a long term injury. Tefu Mashamite took his place too. Steve Komphela also stripped him of his captaincy at one point and handed it over to Siphiwe Tshabalala. It might be safe to assume that not only has Khune lost the armband but the first choice goalkeeper status too. The player has struggled to keep a clean sheet having conceded 12 goals in 6 matches.
Will this be another series of benched matches for the goal keeper?