Another milestone for Khune

2008-07-17 14:02

Johannesburg - Manchester United will be another big milestone in Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune's rising career.

Khune, who turned 21 last month, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom since last season.

He became the Amakhosi number one keeper after Rowen Fernandez joined Bundes Liga outfit Arminia Bielefeld. He was voted as the PSL's Player of the Season at the end of the 2007/08 where he was also named as the Goalkeeper of the Season.

Then in June he made the Bafana Bafana goalkeeping position his own after displacing Fernandez in the national side.

But he faces his biggest test when he comes up against what Amakhosi coach Muhsin Ertugral describes "as the best team in the world" -European and English Premiership champions Manchester United - in the opening match of the Vodacom Challenge at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday. Kick-off is at 15:30.

It is all happening so fast for Khune, who is determined to shine against world class players such as Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher and Rio Ferdinand to name a few of the star studded United line up expected to arrive in Cape Town on Friday morning.

Said a confident Khune at Chiefs' final training session ahead of the trip to the Cape on Thursday: "This is what dreams are made of. As a youngster I dreamed about playing against the best players in the world and now I will be doing just that when we meet Manchester United. It is going to be a great experience for all of us."

Archrivals

Khune has one simple plan - not to concede a goal. But he says that will be easier said that done. He explained: "I know I will have a busy afternoon. But I aim to enjoy the 90 minutes. Few players get the opportunity to play against the top side in the world and I want to savour the moment."

But the bigger picture for Amakhosi will be when they tackle their archrivals Orlando Pirates at the EPRU Stadium next Thursday. The winner meets United in the final at Loftus. Bucs meet the European and English giants at Durban's Kings Park Stadium next Tuesday night.

Said Khune: "We all want to play United twice so we know the Pirates game is going to be a crunch game for both teams."

New signings Jose Torrealba and Valery Nahayo will make their debuts against United.

Nahayo the Burundi national skipper and central defender joined Chiefs from relegated Jomo Cosmos said; "There is a big difference here in tactics and technique from Cosmos.

I am delighted I joined Chiefs. It has taken me a little while to adapt to the different style of play but I have settled and determined to go out and try and make the most of my chance against United."

Nahayo added he would be happy to mark English superstar Rooney. He added; "It will be fantastic pitting our skills against some of the best players in the world. It will be a big boost for my career ."

'Enjoy the game'

Bafana midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala agrees the Pirates showdown will be a war but believes a team effort will be needed to subdue United.

Said Tshabalala; "We must play as a unit and not be overawed by the occasion. We are not under pressure from the coach and must go out and enjoy the game."

Ertugral was hyped up on Thursday but admitted Chiefs could not compete against the precision and organisation that are United's strengths.

Said the Turkish born coach: "We will give United a run for their money in the skills department. South African soccer has bags of skills, but it is in the organisation and precision departments where we fall down badly.

"Playing against the best in the world is a huge motivating factor. We will try and close down spaces but on a big pitch (Newlands) that is easier said than done."

Ertugral is happy to learn from this experience. "United will show up our limitations. That will allow my technical team to fix our shortcoming before we play Pirates and help us get ready for the start of the PSL season."

Chiefs beat United in the 2006 Challenge final on a penalty shootout under Ertugral. But the Amakhosi coach knows this time it will be a different ball game.

Said Ertugral; "In 2006 United brought their third team here. This time they have brought their top players. That means most of their world stars are here so we are in for a big learning curve."

- SAPA