Has ex-Kaizer Chiefs' Itumeleng Khune retired? - 'If Mamelodi Sundowns' Denis Onyango is 39 going on 40, why should I be in a hurry at 37 going on 38?'

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has dismissed suggestions that he has retired since he left the Premier Soccer League club.

The former Bafana Bafana keeper left the Naturena club the previous season, and since he has been out of active football, he was believed to have hung up his boots, but he insists that is not the case.

“Only God will decide that it’s over,” Khune told iDiski Times. 

“Right now I still want to play. I’m keeping fit and playing five-a-side football, getting myself ready for any phone call that may come through, saying, ‘Itu, we need your services.’ Listen, I’ll be there," he added.

Khune cited Mamelodi Sundowns' Denis Onyango as a reference point on why he is not keen on retiring yet.

“My main focus is with the SABC, it’s with Nedbank, it’s with Topbet, it’s with Studio 88," Khune continued.

“For now, obviously, that’s where my bread comes from, and obviously future endorsements. But if anyone had to knock and say, Itu, come back to football, obviously, I won’t be able to do all of this because full focus will be back on the field.

“But since I’m not on the field as yet, I would rather focus on those big projects that I’m doing. I’m still around, and I mean if [Denis] Onyango is 39 going on 40, why should I be in a hurry at 37 going on 38? Hence, I’m saying if a call comes through now, I’m going," he concluded.

Khune left the Glamour Boys as a PSL, Nedbank Cup, and MTN8 winner after serving Chiefs for over two decades.

Since his departure, Bruce Bvuma, Brandon Peterson, and Fiacre Ntwari are the senior goalkeepers for Amakhosi. Bvuma, however, is more preferred to his rivals, although Ntwari, who signed from TS Galaxy last year, was the number one choice when the season began.

However, the Rwandan has been relegated to the bench and sometimes misses matchday squads even when fit.

As Chiefs struggle in the league, a lack of leadership has been cited as the major reason. Khune was a known leader within the playing unit during his time with the Soweto giants.

After he finally announces his retirement, which venture will the experienced goalkeeper embrace? This is the question that is on the lips of every one of his fans.

He can remain a pundit, try his hand at coaching, or choose an entirely different thing to undertake after his long-playing career.