Khune looking trim

Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs during the Carling Black Label Kaizer Chiefs media day at the Chiefs Village in Johannesburg. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs during the Carling Black Label Kaizer Chiefs media day at the Chiefs Village in Johannesburg. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Published Jul 29, 2017

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JOHANNESBURG – Itumeleng Khune has shed a few pounds.

A noticeable achievement he was so glad to point out to members of the media ahead of his interview with them in Naturena midweek.

And that’s because the Kaizer Chiefs’ shot-stopper has been receiving a whole lot of stick from his own fans, accusing him for being 'colossal' in the past season.

Instead of taking such talks as a form of a “body shaming” gibe, the Bafana Bafana international responded positively and took upon himself to sort his frame out.

He looks leaner now.

Chiefs have been under a whole lot of stick, too. They’ve been accused of being underperformers in the past two seasons by their own supporters.

Captain @IIKHUNE_32_16 is ready for Saturday's Carling Black Label Cup and to make the fans happy #CarlingCup #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/0jvqnkM1n3

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) July 27, 2017

Chiefs have gone trophy-less in the past two campaigns, and coach Steve Komphela was blamed, a fault he was glad to take upon his own shoulders in an attempt to shield all of his players.

But Khune reckons that’s too much of a responsibility for one person to carry alone.

The 30-year old shot-stopper says that the whole team was to blame.

“The past two seasons have been a bitter pill to swallow for me,” Khune says. “This has never happened. However, I believe that we, as players, are the ones who put ourselves in this situation, and that it’s very important that we do everything in our power to get ourselves out of it.

“I believe the coach is a bit unfair on himself by taking all the blame,” Khune adds. “We all have to shoulder the blame. We have not been delivering on the field of play and I believe that is about time we stepped up and performed (this time around).”

Amakhosi will lock horns with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in today’s Carling Black Label Champion Cup at FNB Stadium (Kick-off 3.30pm), and the Bafana international said that it was very crucial that they pushed for a win in this cup friendly.

“Kaizer Chiefs is a winning team,” Khune says. “Every match we participate in, we want to come out as winners.”

@Mohau_Ra

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