Legendary former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper coach, Rainer Dinkelacker, had an impact on Itumeleng Khune’s career.
The German has known the former Bafana Bafana number one since his days as a teenager, aged 15. In fact, in a show of gratitude, Khune handed his 2013 Goalkeeper of the Year Award to Dinkelacker describing him as a “pillar of strength”.
The retired coach has since weighed on the 34-year-old’s career stating what the club needs to do to get him back to his best.
The Amakhosi shot-stopper has been unfortunate with injuries in recent seasons, dropping down the goalkeeping pecking order at Naturena. Khune only played one game for the team in the just-ended season with Brandon Peterson and Bruce Bvuma taking turns to guard goals for the Soweto giants.
He was recently part of Fifa’s goalkeeper coaching workshop at the Safa Technical Centre, suggesting that he may be preparing for life after football.
“Look I don’t know how fit he is at the moment, but what I do know for sure is that he is a rare breed, he is a special talent,” the 73-year-old said.
“If he is still motivated as he has always been and the goalkeeper coach gives him the right kind of support, and the right training, he will get back to his best.
“I read that he did very well in the DStv Cup and I am not surprised because at 34 as a goalkeeper he is still very young and I know his quality,” he said.
When asked about the recent reports of Khune doing his coaching badges, the retired German mentor said: “That is just the beginning. He can still play a season or two though because I believe he can still be the number one.
“Also it is important to have plan B for the future. Do you remember Emile (Baron)? He had no plan B and he struggled after the injuries hampered his football career, so that is just another quality, he thinks.”
He has given his former prodigy the thumbs up for preparing for the future while still playing.
“What he is doing now (coaching badges) is for the future. All Itu needs right now is just the right training and remain fit.”
Khune, he says, is one of the most decorated players in South African football, given that he’s earned 91 caps for Bafana Bafana while he’s been playing top-flight football for Amakhosi for 15 years.
“He is one of the best I have ever worked with,” he concluded.
