Itumeleng Khune gives Kaizer Chiefs a boost ahead of TKO semifinal

Kaizer Chiefs coach had all but ruled goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune out of Sunday’s Telkom Knockout semi-final, but it has now been revealed that the 32-year-old is back to full training.

Amakhosi host Maritzburg United at Mbombela Stadium, and will have to do so without Daniel Akpeyi, who has been one of the key figures in their resurgence.

Goalkeeper boost for Kaizer Chiefs

This was after the Nigerian shot-stopper picked up his fourth yellow card of the season, resulting in automatic suspension.

Bruce Bvuma looked likely to take his place between the sticks, after the German mentor indicated that Khune had not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to wrestle his way back into the starting line up.

“He’s training and trying to come closer,” Middendorp said.

“At a certain time, I see what he is delivering but I am waiting for feedback from the goalkeeper department, who can really say how far he is.

“But in the moment, we can’t try to push him. We have to manage now this one game, and that’s it. It’s not possible to think about Itu Khune.”

Kaizer Chiefs

However, less than 24 hours after Middendorp’s comments, Kaizer Chiefs declared, via the club’s website, that the Bafana keeper was fit and will travel to Nelspruit.

“Ahead of their trip to Nelspruit for the Telkom Knockout Cup on the weekend, Itumeleng Khune is medically fit and has joined the team in full training. Khune has been recovering from a groin injury he picked up in the game against Baroka FC in September.”

Kaizer Chiefs

Another player declared fit for the match is midfielder Kearyn Baccus, who was injured in the Telkom Knockout Round of 16 match against Cape Town City in October.

Itumeleng Khune injury woes 

After spending a good decade as the mainstay in the Kaizer Chiefs goal, Khune has been nigh anonymous in the past year.

The 32-year-old has only made one full appearance in 2019 – keeping a clean sheet against AmaZulu in September.

This was after a shoulder injury suffered in November 2018 kept him out of action for the rest of the previous season, also missing out of Bafana Bafana’s recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

He returned as a surprise starter against Usuthu on Heritage Day, and guided his side to a 2-0 victory at King Zwelithini Stadium.

However, he was soon back on the injury list after hurting his groin just 28 minutes into the very next match against Baroka.