World Cup GK Profile: Itumeleng Khune (South Africa)

Itumeleng Khune

Squad: South Africa
Squad No: 16
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 22
Birth Date: Jun 20, 1987
Birth Place: Ventersdorp, South Africa
Height: 5' 11" (1.80m)
Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg)
Club: Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
International Caps: 26

Club History
Kaizer Chiefs (RSA): 2008-



from Wikipedia (full wiki)
Itumeleng Khune is a South African soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for the Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League and the South African national team.

Being one of the star players of local football, Khune is one of the biggest goalkeeping talents South African football has produced in recent times.

The young Bafana Bafana number one is a fantastic shot-stopper and is excellent at starting quick attacks with his distribution.

His younger brother Lucky Khune plays as a striker for Kaizer Chiefs.

He was part of Bafana Bafana's 2008 African Nations Cup squad but was not fielded until he made his international debut against Zimbabwe on March 11, 2008. He had since become the preferred choice in goal by former South Africa coach Joel Santana.

Khune was the first-choice goalkeeper in South Africa's squad at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup where he saved a penalty against Spanish star David Villa in the group stages.


from ESPN SoccerNet
This brilliant young shot-stopper has established himself as the Bafana Bafana first-choice over the past two years. Rumour has it that several European clubs are tracking his progress and no wonder.

His reflexes are razor-sharp, he is quick and decisive coming off his line and originates many attacks with his ever-accurate distribution. A highlight of Khune's career was the penalty he saved from Spain striker David Villa at last year's Confederations Cup and any repeats this summer will instantly make him a national hero.

As a schoolboy, he played as a defender and, during a trial for the Kaizer Chiefs youth scheme, he was spotted by a coach diving for balls on the sidelines and was promptly advised to change position. He is a huge cricket fan and used to idolise the South African all-rounder Nicky Boje. His younger brother, Lucky, plays for the Chiefs' under-20 side.

from FIFA.com
If there were still doubts about his readiness to be South Africa’s number one goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune answered his critics in the best possible way during Bafana Bafana’s month-long FIFA World Cup™ camp in Brazil and Germany with stupendous performances between the poles. He has been the most consistent player in the last three months in South Africa’s last line of defence – and even though he has had his fair share of unlucky moments, he has cemented his place and will undoubtedly be Parreira’s first choice. One of the most promising goalkeepers to emerge from South African football in the last five years, Khune came very close to being crowned PSL Footballer of the Season in his debut campaign, only to lose out to South Africa and Orlando Pirates' inspirational midfielder Teko Modise. It was therefore no surprise that he was handed his first international cap after only eight months in top-flight football.

Though still relatively short of experience at the highest level, the keeper, who is set to turn 23 during this summer's showpiece, would surely love to pit his wits against some of the world's finest strikers and further his claim to the Bafana Bafana No1 jersey. His performance during last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup won both hearts and praise. While injuries have kept him out of action this season, he remains one of South Africa’s biggest assets. He has played for Kaizer Chiefs since 2004 and was a member of the 2008 CAF Africa Cup of Nations squad. However, he did not make his international debut until later that year against Zimbabwe.