Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune bemoans ill-treatment towards senior players by PSL clubs regarding salaries - 'The older you are, the less money you must get'

Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has shared his concerns about the treatment of players over 30 in terms of salaries within the PSL. 

The 37-year-old goalkeeper, who is currently unattached, was rumoured to be making over five hundred thousand during his peak days at Chiefs. 

Now, Khune has revealed how he had to grapple with salary cut issues at Amakhosi and expressed frustration with PSL clubs that pay senior players less money. 

"Unfortunately, it's becoming a trend that at a certain age and obviously with the bracket that you find yourself in when it comes to the payments, obviously clubs are looking into that nowadays and the older you are, the less money you must get. Those are the kind of decisions that you also have to make at some point," Khune said as quoted by SABC Sport. 

"With my situation, for years I've been reading and hearing that, ow, Itu has agreed to take 50%. So, for me it wasn't all about money anymore, it was about playing football and making people happy like I've been doing hence I've taken those salary cuts, I asked the club. 

"It's not about the money anymore, it's about the love of the game but there was nothing I could have done because the club gave me the respect and said, ‘You can go wherever you wanna go if you wanna continue playing," he added. 

"I didn't see myself representing any other team in South Africa apart from Kaizer Chiefs which I've played for, for my entire career. So, I didn't see myself wearing another jersey."

Upon the arrival of new coach Nasreddine Nabi, Khune found himself deemed surplus to requirements at Chiefs this season, as the club opted to move in a different direction. 

Since leaving the Soweto Giants, he has been a free agent and has insisted he is not prepared to retire and transition into a goalkeeper coach, contrary to popular belief. 

While he continues to search for a new home, the Ventersdorp-born shot-stopper has diversified into the betting industry by becoming a shareholder of Top Bet. 

Chiefs have not yet addressed Khune's future at the club following the non-renewal of his playing contract following the conclusion of last season. 

Nevertheless, the Naturena-based giants' management has affirmed that 'Itu' remains a valued member of the club. 

They are also believed to have assigned him an ambassadorial role, which he appears to be dissatisfied with.