Cape Town City FC defender Lorenzo Gordinho has reflected on the impact that veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune had on him during their time together at Kaizer Chiefs.
Gordinho donned the famous ‘Gold and Black’ jersey of Chiefs for seven years in the DStv Premiership from 2013/14 up to the 2019/20 campaign.
When he was promoted from the Amakhosi youth structures to the first team, Gordinho was 20 years old, and he had impressed a lot with the Soweto Giants reserve team.
All-in-all, the talented centre-back made 69 appearances in all competitions for the Soweto giants and scored seven goals in the process while helping goalkeepers such as Khune keep many clean sheets.
In addition, Gordinho was part of the teams that added two new pieces of silverware to the Chiefs trophy cabinet: the league titles in the 2012/13 and 2014/15 seasons.
Interestingly, the Chiefs legend who assisted Gordinho in settling into the senior team is not a defender like him.
ITUMELENG KHUNE HELPED LORENZO GORDINHO TO SETTLE IN AT KAIZER CHIEFS
In an interview with FARPost, Gordinho stated that former Bafana Bafana international Khune was the first player who helped him to have a smooth transition from the reserve side to the first team.
Khune boasts an extensive knowledge of the club, having risen through the ranks from the reserve side. He holds the record for the longest-serving player, following his promotion to the senior team all the way back in 2004. However, his contract with Chiefs is set to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season on June 2024
“It’s [Itumeleng] Khune who helped me settle,” said Gordinho. “He also came from the academy as well like me. He was always there to give me advice, and it was not me alone, but most of the youngsters.
“For me, he was one of the first to guide me consistently. He was helping me to understand, how things are in the first team and the protocols. Honestly, that, helped me to improve a lot.
“He’s been doing that every time, season after season. It helps to ensure that they [academy graduates] settle in very well and adapt to the first team. By that, they stand a change to excel in their careers.”
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