Itumeleng Khune admits it has been difficult for him to adjust to the end of his playing days. The Amakhosi legend was deemed surplus to requirement at the Betway Premiership club after close to 20 years of service.
After holding down his place as club captain and first choice stopper since 2004, the 37-year-old was forced to make way for the next generation of goalkeepers.
He was offered a role within the club but wanted to continue playing.
Reflecting on his life has changed, Khune said on iDiski Times: “I can’t control how I feel the next morning, I always wake up feeling different, the first couple of weeks after the meetings with the club, it wasn’t easy for me, I was crying in bed for two straight weeks
“I was not understanding what was happening. I was given respect though for a sit down with the club who provided their plan going forward, but I was not part of that as a footballer.”
Khune added that he still hopes to keep playing despite being without a club.
“I didn’t believe it when I heard this news. I want to play longer, into my 40s that’s why I am still hopeful but again, my heart, I cannot control. I feel I can go back tomorrow and play, the next day I wake up with pains everywhere and think it’s fine let’s leave it.
“The passion and love for the game is still there, I can still deliver when called upon, look at Dennis Onyango, I’m younger than him and he’s still playing at Sundowns.
“What’s nice about it is that the business is mine and if I still want to go back on the field, I can still make that call, we can get ambassadors who can do what I am doing going forward, growing the business.”
