Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has advised Itumeleng Khune to retire on his own terms amid uncertainty about his future at the club.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper’s tenure with Chiefs hangs in the balance, Katsande has emphasised that Khune should continue playing if he believes he still has the ability to perform.
Towards the end of the season, Amakhosi dedicated a match against Polokwane City to honour Khune’s 25 years of service to the club.
“It’s up to him to decide what he really wants. But the most important thing, he must not even doubt what he contributed to Kaizer Chiefs, Katsande said.
“He mustn’t doubt what he achieved with Cheifs, and what he also achieved in football, and how much he touched the souls out of every goalkeeper when he had the ball, he wants to be like Itu.
“So, you can see that he left a blueprint in football if he decides to go the other side. But if he still wants to play, we have to support him and enjoy him one more time before he hangs up with his gloves.
“Because the most important thing is to listen to your body, to listen to yourself, not peer pressure, to say, okay, can I still go, do you still have the drive?
“So, whatever he decides, we only support him because at the of the day between him, himself, and his family, what he wants.
The former Zimbabwe captain has also highlighted the challenges athletes face when transitioning to life after football, particularly if they haven’t planned for their post-retirement careers. Katsande explained that the adjustment can be tough without a clear plan for the future.
“It is very difficult because you know you wake up one morning you don’t have to go stuck in traffic going to training. So what you’re going to do it’s very difficult, especially for us (players) that’s why we need to occupy ourselves with something.
“Trust me because your entire life you wake up you know that I’m leaving my house at seven (in the morning) going to be at the village or wherever at half-past eight till nine.
“So now that thing is it’s not there anymore so what do you need to do so, it’s always wiser for you to prepare yourself when you can see that you’re getting closer (retirement).
“Because the problem with us football players is we are very ignorant when it’s happening to you, I think it doesn’t happen to me.
“But eventually it happens so when it happens to you look left, right, and centre and say where am I? So, you when you get to the other side 30 or 32 (age).
“Start thinking like okay where do I need to fit in after my playing days so that by the time comes the transition is you’re going to find it difficult, but you already accepted like you’re getting closer to your end of career, so you are not going play football anymore.
Khune has not travelled with the team to Turkey for the pre-season preparations as he awaits the club’s decision on his career.
Willard Katsande on Itumeleng Khune. pic.twitter.com/2XqBcIbrjK
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) July 8, 2024
