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Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune says a lack of discipline is the reason why PSL players don’t reach many caps for their teams.
“[For] most footballers it is about discipline and the clubs do not see the need to keep them for much longer,” said Khune on Thursday, speaking at Kaizer Chiefs village at Naturena, south of Johannesburg.
Khune made his 300th appearance for Chiefs on Saturday during the 2-1 win against National First Division side Stellenbosch FC.
“A lot of us would play one season and people would tell you, you have turned the corner, you have arrived,” he said.
The former Bafana Bafana captain said when players get praised they start losing focus.
“It [praise] makes you lose focus of what you had initially planned for. But I have planned to play until 40. And I am still going to stick to that.”
The 30-year-old made his debut for the Amakhosi in 2007 against Jomo Cosmos.
Khune said it was up to the current generation to set an example.
He has been praised by his peers and former players, who say he is in a league of his own.
“For me, I always work hard to maintain the number one spot and there are lot of great goalkeepers who are pushing me for it. And whenever I am injured and there is someone else playing I do get worried at times that I might not come back and reclaim my number one,” Khune said.
He recalled going to the hospital due to chest problems and came back to get three consecutive man of the match awards.
“For me I was like, I was born for this. I was given the talent, and my gift back to God is me working hard.”
Football legend Doctor Khumalo holds the record with 397 appearances for the Soweto outfit.
Khune has kept 12 clean sheets in 21 league matches this season and will look to add another on Saturday when Chiefs take on AmaZulu at FNB Stadium.
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