Itumeleng Khune is, without a doubt, the blueprint for modern goalkeeping playmakers suited for today’s game, writes Bongani Malunga!
On July 19, 2008, Manchester United took on Kaizer Chiefs at Newlands in the Vodacom Challenge, ending in a 1-1 draw. The post-match remarks of Sir Alex Ferguson heaped a lot of praise on a then 21-year-old Itumeleng Khune, who made crucial saves to keep his side in the game. However, it was not his saves that impressed Ferguson. His distribution proved to be the catalyst for so many of Chiefs’ counterattacks on the day. “The Chiefs keeper was good. I was particularly impressed by his uncanny distribution, which put his team constantly on the counter-attack,” Ferguson was quoted in an article published by News24.com on July 20th 2008.
ITUMELENG KHUNE CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH
While Khune’s passing range was new to Ferguson, South African football had grown accustomed to Khune’s immaculate passing. Khune was the latest in a line of athletic goalkeepers who made their names at Chiefs. While he inherited his predecessors’ shot-stopping prowess and reflex saves, he separated himself from the rest with his distribution.
Khune’s ability to scan the field and identify an unmarked runner made him a lethal auxiliary playmaker. This was in an era where many goalkeepers would resort to the ‘hit and hope’ tactic when launching counterattacks.
Khune had a trademark passing technique. He would effortlessly execute with the outside of his foot so the ball would be teleported to attacking fullbacks and wingers with ease. Many of his counterparts would place the ball in their hands and hit it in an arc-like aerial motion to locate a striker who would be expected to win the first header or lay it off for a teammate. For Khune, this was an overplayed method which needed to be cleverly modified.
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If he spotted a striker who was good at evading markers, he would strategically release the ball into an area where the striker would have the ball at his feet instead of anticipating a ball, requiring him to participate in an aerial duel. In his prime, Khune was a striker’s dream. He was a defender’s get-out-of-jail card in a tight area and a fullback’s first supplier.
MODERN KEEPERS
Overseas, Andre Onana, Ederson and Allison are viewed as the best goalkeepers in starting play from the back. Onana and Ederson, in particular, can make accurate long-range passes that can locate players akin to Khune’s precise passing. While the world may be oblivious to Khune’s trendsetting style, the Southern African region is well aware of the style. After all, it made him a symbol of progression for goalkeepers.
Although Khune is not at the top of his game, his style of play aligns with today’s game’s goalkeeping requirements. A study of his playing style would equip any budding keeper with the tools to make it in today’s game.