Stuart Baxter clears up Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper fight: Itumeleng Khune is my man!
New Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has confirmed that club captain Itumeleng Khune is currently his first-choice goalkeeper at the club.
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Khune started in goal against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 quarter-finals on Sunday and despite Amakhosi losing in a penalty shootout, the now 34-year-old looked solid enough between the posts.
Kaizer Chiefs boast an abundance of goalkeeping riches with all of Khune, Daniel Akpeyi, Bruce Bvuma and new signing Brandon Petersen on their books.
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In a press conference interview after Sunday’s match, Stuart Baxter attempted to confirm Khune’s role in the team.
“We’ve got four goalkeepers that on any given day could be the number one,” Baxter said.
“This is not about rotation or mix and match. This is about choosing the goalkeeper who is playing well, that’s in the best shape and suits the opponent.
“If Itu plays outstanding then we’ll not be rotating, but if we feel Itu has gone off the boil or one of the others are playing outstanding and he will suit the next opponent better, then we’ll make the change.”
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Baxter added that he would be selecting players purely on form and not for personal reasons.
“I have four [goalkeepers] who I’m very comfortable with each being the number one. I’ll listen to Lee [Baxter], the goalkeeper coach and the opinions of the rest of the staff and discuss that about the upcoming opponents and make the best decision for that game.
“The competition is healthy. It’s unhealthy when Itu is put on the sidelines and he’s not all over social media and has a bad attitude in training, which is not the case.
“None of them are like that. Everyone is committed and supports the other no matter who it may be,” Stuart Baxter concluded.
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It therefore seems likely that Khune will start in goal for Kaizer Chiefs in their opening match of the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season away against TS Galaxy on Sunday, 22 August.
Kick-off at the Mbombela Stadium is at 17:00.
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