Khuzwayo can dislodge Khune

Brilliant Khuzwayo will be in the box for Bafana Bafana agaisnt Ghana. Photo: Steve Haag

Brilliant Khuzwayo will be in the box for Bafana Bafana agaisnt Ghana. Photo: Steve Haag

Published Sep 22, 2014

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Durban – Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter insists Brilliant Khuzwayo has a realistic chance of dislodging captain Itumeleng Khune as Amakhosi’s No1 goalkeeper.

Khuzwayo, an understudy to Khune since he joined the club two years ago, was granted only his second start of the season in the MTN8 final on Saturday and the 24-year-old was nothing short of brilliant, producing a Man-of-the-Match performance to inspire a 1-0 victory over Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Having watched Mandla Masango and George Maluleka get the plaudits recently in Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker’s absence, Khuzwayo must be motivated to make most of Khune’s absence and convince Baxter he is worthy of a place in the starting line-up, even when the skipper recovers from an ankle injury.

Masango and Maluleka have played so well that Baxter has found it difficult to leave them out of the starting line-up.

Khuzwayo could join the pair in the starting line-up more often if he produces performances such as the one on Saturday.

“We played without Bernard and Shabba and maybe some of you thought they would (start) tonight. They understood their position was to start on the bench and that the boys have played well,” said Baxter.

“So, Brilliant is in the same position. If he strings together a lot of good performances now and the team keep winning, as good as Itu is, he will be the same as everybody else. He will have to play better than the man in the jersey.

“That is not loose talk. I think the boys all know that and I think that’s what’s pushing them. I think he (Khuzwayo) has a chance of retaining the jersey. Now he has to go back to training and get his feet back on the ground or else today does not mean a lot,” added the coach.

Khuzwayo, who dedicated his award to his late mother, made his first save after 22 minutes, stopping what looked a sure goal as he got down well to his right to deny Pirates midfield maestro Oupa Manyisa. Watched by his father in his home province, Khuzwayo was busier in the second half, but he was up for the challenge. The former AmaZulu man made three more saves in the second period, ensuring Amakhosi finish the competition with another clean sheet, their fourth in as many matches.

“My coach Baxter told me that he who dares will succeed. Everything you do, you should do it with your full potential. I was prepared to fight as the underdog coming into this match as Itu’s replacement. Obviously, he is the best in South Africa and he is my role model.

“I had to do my best. I thank my teammates for encouraging me before the game,” said Khuzwayo. - The Star

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