Kaizer Chiefs to lose Itumeleng Khune and potential replacement? 

Kaizer Chiefs may be about to lose both Itumeleng Khune and his touted replacement, Takalani Mazhamba.

Khune has been vocal about prolonging his playing career, which is unlikely to be at Chiefs.

Over the years, Khune has been a stalwart for Chiefs, being their number-one goalkeeper for well over a decade. In recent years, however, the 36-year-old has been plagued by injuries and lack of form, which have seen him dropped. With the club failing to find a regular goalkeeper to take over, they have often called on him repeatedly. 

Khune set to leave Chiefs

He then returned with a man-of-the-match performance for the Carling All Stars XI. The country got to see yet another glimpse of what he is still capable of in front of the sticks. With Chiefs making a statement that Khune will retire, he came out to say he isn’t ready to do so. Therefore, he might have to find another club next season as there seem to be no talks of a renewal as yet. Furthermore, even after his return from suspension, he seems to be out of favour and third choice. 

While Khune could be coming to the end of his stint at Chiefs, Mazhamba was thought to be the future. The 16-year-old is thought to be very highly-rated within the junior and senior structures of the club. The belief in his abilities at the club has been evident through his being invited to train with the first team on occasion. He has also fought his way into the DDC structures. 

Mazhamba to follow?

While Mazhamba is thought to be happy with his progress at Chiefs, he is thought to be seeking first-team opportunities – even if they come away from the club, according to Soccer-Laduma.

“Takalani Mazhamba is a very good young goalkeeper whose future in the football is bright. There are clubs that are interested in him, and Sundowns is one of them. The boy is happy at Chiefs and is appreciative of everything that the club has done for him, but he would be open to opportunities for first team football elsewhere if it doesn’t happen at the club. The next few weeks will be crucial for him to decide his future,” said the source to the publication. 

While Chiefs could be ready to move on from Khune, losing a potential replacement like Mazhamba could be tough.