Khune calls out Chiefs players: ‘The senior players need to…’
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Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune addresses media at a press conference in 2023. Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
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Khune calls out Chiefs players: ‘The senior players need to…’
Oct 27, 2026 – 10:46 am
By Siya Ndlela
Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune has called out Amakhosi players over the Soweto giants’ poor form this season, which includes just three league wins and early exits from two cup competitions.
Khune has pulled no punches regarding the club’s current slump, calling on the current crop of players to step up and show character.
Speaking on SABC 1’s SoccerZone, the legendary goalkeeper emphasised that wearing the Amakhosi jersey comes with massive responsibility.
Khune made 346 senior appearances during a glittering 17-year career at Naturena, cementing his legacy by winning seven major honours—including three league titles and multiple individual accolades.
Amakhosi have been linked with a change of coaching personnel just months into Da Cruz’ tenure, prompting the club’s hierachy to come out in support of the mentor, though Khune believes the players should shoulder some of the responsibility.
Khune’s blunt assessment comes on the back of a highly disappointing season for the Naturena-based giants, who have already been dumped out of both the MTN8 and the CAF Confederation Cup competitions.
“Players need to come to the party. Even the players that we have, according to them. I played with some of them. We have quality; they just lack confidence.
“You saw the opportunities that [Asanele] Velebayi got. There uyithela ngamanzi (calm down) and just pass the net. It was just a rush of blood. So they find themselves in situations they never found themselves in before.
“The new players that come in need to be introduced to the system. The senior players need to make sure that they tell them that ‘here at Kaizer Chiefs, this is how we do things.’ They need to inspire confidence.
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Their league form offers little comfort to the frustrated faithful, with Amakhosi currently sitting fifth on the Betway Premiership log table.
Having managed a meagre tally of three wins and five draws from eight matches, their 14-point accumulation leaves them well off the pace of the current title contenders.
The Glamour Boys will have an immediate opportunity to respond to their former skipper’s rallying cry in their next competitive fixture.
Defending their pride is paramount as Kaizer Chiefs prepare to lock horns with TS Galaxy in a crucial Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 clash at the FNB Stadium.
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 on Tuesday, where nothing less than a convincing victory will suffice to ease the mounting pressure on the technical team.
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