Khune: I’m the luckiest goalkeeper alive

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Itumeleng Khune of Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune says he feels privileged to be playing for both club and country on a regular basis, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The 31-year-old is the longest-serving goalkeeper for the national side with 90 senior international caps for South Africa since making his debut in March 2008 under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

The record was previously held by Bafana Bafana legend Andre Arendse with 67 caps, who Khune surpassed back in 2015.

Khune has now become Bafana’s second-most capped player after surpassing former Kaizer Chiefs teammate Siphiwe Tshabalala, who made his 90th appearance for the national team last month against Seychelles in their Afcon qualifier.

The Amakhosi shot-stopper believes the changes made to the Bafana squad will not affect their chances of qualifying for the 2019 African Cup of Nations as he believes everybody has been doing a good job on the field.

‘I think I’m the luckiest goalkeeper alive, and me saying that is because I’m playing [regularly] for club and country,’ Khune said.

‘It’s expected that there will be injuries; there will be players off form and those called up to represent the country to step up to the plate even at club level.

‘So, for me, my job is to marshal, communicate and organise my defence very well, and I think with the current run of clean sheets, everyone deserves credit.

‘Because everyone that has been given an opportunity to get on the field and do the job has done it very well with the guidance of my experience.’

Bafana Bafana will take on Nigeria in a mouth-watering Afcon qualifier at the FNB Stadium on Saturday with kick-off set for 3pm.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix