Kaizer Chiefs legendary ‘keeper names shock Khune’s replacement

Kaizer Chiefs legendary goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has named a shock Itumeleng Khune’s replacement from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Speaking to FarPost, Baloyi feels Chiefs should consider signing Denis Onyango despite him being older than Khune.

Baloyi is banking on Onyango’s experience more than anything, and he believes the Ugandan goalkeeper still has two to three seasons left in him.

Furthermore, the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper gave a practical example, recalling how the late Arthur Baartman pushed Khune despite being in the twilight of his career.

At the time, Khune was injured and later had to prepare for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Bafana Bafana, and Baartman ended up being Chiefs’ No.1.

And Baloyi feels Onyango can play a similar role to that of Baartman by pushing the younger Amakhosi goalkeepers to their limits if Khune is leave.

KAIZER CHIEFS ADVISED TO SIGN ONYANGO FROM SUNDOWNS

“We have Itumeleng Khune, but we don’t know what’s going to happen with him. So, you need an Onyango with vast experience, and he can give you two or three seasons,” said Baloyi.

“Same way that Arthur Baartman did; may his soul rest in peace. He came in and started pushing Khune to a point where he started playing regularly.”

“You need someone like that, someone who will come in and push these young players so that they lift up their game. If Kaizer Chiefs were to want to sign a goalkeeper now, I will say sign Onyango,” added Baloyi.

KHUNE IS IN HIS FINAL SEASON WITH AMAKHOSI…

Baloyi’s comments stem from the fact that Chiefs announced in 2023 that this would be Khune’s final season with them as a player.

But it is still unclear whether Khune is ready to retire, especially at this time when Chiefs are still not doing well on the pitch.

Khune is in his 20th year with the Chiefs senior, having first been promoted as a very young boy in 2004.

However, the now 36-year-old made his debut for the Glamour Boys in August 2007 against Jomo Cosmos as a 20-year-old.

Meanwhile, Khune could make his first return to the Amakhosi match day squad since December 2023 on Sunday when they visit AmaZulu as reported by The South African.

And that’s because Brandon Petersen is suspended following his red card from the bench in midweek against TS Galaxy.

It will be interesting to see if Cavin Johnson brings him back in order to bring about experience on his team’s bench in case anything happens to Bruce Bvuma.