Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has offered advice to footballers facing criticism, reflecting on how he personally overcame the same challenge.
Khune was a household name for both Amakhosi and Bafana Bafana. He was one of the notable players who represented the South African National Team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted on home soil.
Playing under the constant demands of Chiefs’ large fanbase and being one of the trusted players for Bafana meant scrutiny was just part of the job for the Ventersdorp-born star.
Recalling his own experiences, Khune remembered facing criticism on social media, particularly from Chiefs fans. He shared that deleting his Twitter [now X] account proved crucial in shielding him from distractions and ultimately allowed him to rediscover his best form.
Furthermore, he urged players to undergo sessions that teach them how to control their emotions when subjected to harsh criticism.
KHUNE REFLECTS ON CRITICISM EXPERIENCES
“In 2011 when we lost to Orlando Pirates [in the MTN8 final], as I left the field, the first thing I did, I went on Twitter and Khune was trending number 1,” said Khune during the Nedbank Cup event in Durban.
“Those comments were heartbreaking. I remember the chairman [Kaizer Motaung] standing in front of us, addressing us after the game. I wasn’t even listening to him.
“Fans invest so much in football, and now it’s even worse because they’re betting. They always have their betting slips. When they see you, they’ll be like, ‘Hey I bet that Chiefs will win and I lost because you cost me’.
“I’d advise players that just get off social media because it will help their well-being. I did that, I deleted my Twitter for two years, and I came back to my best. We won trophies, and I downloaded the app again. But it’s very important that players go through media training. I was fortunate that at Kaizer Chiefs they offered us that. I used to attend all the sessions even when I was not invited.
“It helped me a lot in terms of how to handle social media. Since I did that, I knew how to control my emotions. Yes, I’m a human being, and I get hurt when someone says something bad about me.
“But when it’s too much and heavy for you to handle, just log out [of social media], give yourself a break and focus on what puts bread on your table, which is football, because you’re ageing.”
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