1. Itumeleng Isaac Khune was born on 20 June 1987 and is a South African professional football player who most recently played as goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League, and the South African national team.
31 Facts About Itumeleng Khune
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Itumeleng Khune is often hailed as one of the best goalkeepers in South Africa, nicknamed "Mzansi's number one".
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Itumeleng Khune is well known for saving a David Villa penalty and proceeding to make a double save in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup group stage match against Spain a day before his 22nd birthday on 20 June 2009.
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On 16 June 2010 against Uruguay, Itumeleng Khune became the second goalkeeper in the history of the FIFA World Cup to be sent off.
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Itumeleng Khune is famous for performing a Rene Higuita scorpion kick save in a league victory over Mpumalanga Black Aces on 28 October 2015, which made rounds in England.
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Itumeleng Khune is known for his quick reflexes and his distribution which has been hailed as "the best you will see anywhere" by former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.
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Itumeleng Khune was born in Tshing, Ventersdorp in the North West as one of six children of Elias and Flora Itumeleng Khune.
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Unlike many South African players who cite kicking a football on their hometown's dusty streets as their starting point, Itumeleng Khune was in love with cricket idolising Nicky Boje.
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Itumeleng Khune eventually decided to pursue a career in football to earn a living for him and his family.
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Itumeleng Khune attended New Nation, Westridge, St Barnabas and RW Fick High Schools.
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Itumeleng Khune is nicknamed "Spider-Man" for his reflexes and flexible goalkeeping skills.
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Itumeleng Khune started out as a striker when he arrived for trials at Chiefs in 1999, but assumed the gloves by chance after he experienced chest problems during a junior game and found himself being reduced to a ball boy.
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Itumeleng Khune made his PSL debut against Jomo Cosmos on 25 August 2007.
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In October 2011, Itumeleng Khune was assigned as captain replacing Jimmy Tau.
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Itumeleng Khune was ranked 45th ahead of Fernandinho, Robbie Keane, and Frank Lampard and behind Andrea Pirlo, Roman Weidenfeller, Victor Wanyama and James Rodriguez who were all ranked from 40 to 50.
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Itumeleng Khune made his 200th appearance for Chiefs against Mpumalanga Black Aces in 2014.
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On 3 September 2014, Itumeleng Khune was diagnosed with a Grade 3 stress fracture which he initially suffered from since February 2014.
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Itumeleng Khune initially did not renew his contract with Kaizer Chiefs when it expired in June 2015 after a long period of negotiations, he returned to the club on 30 July 2015, signing a new contract.
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Itumeleng Khune was part of Bafana Bafana's 2008 African Nations Cup squad but was not fielded until he made his international debut against Zimbabwe on 11 March 2008.
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Itumeleng Khune had since become the preferred choice in goal by then coach Joel Santana.
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Itumeleng Khune was the first-choice goalkeeper in South Africa's squad at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
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Itumeleng Khune saved a penalty against Spanish star David Villa in the group stages.
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Itumeleng Khune was selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as Carlos Alberto Parreira's first-choice goalkeeper and made some good saves in the opening match against Mexico.
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Itumeleng Khune became the second goalkeeper to be sent off in the history of the FIFA World Cup, joining Gianluca Pagliuca who saw red in 1994.
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Itumeleng Khune was assigned the captaincy in May 2013, taking over from Bongani Khumalo and captained Bafana during the 2014 CHAN in South Africa.
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In 2016, Itumeleng Khune was selected as one of South Africa's overage players for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
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Itumeleng Khune arrived at the tournament as the player with the most international experience, alongside Nigeria's Mikel John Obi, with 75 national team caps to his name.
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Itumeleng Khune was instrumental in his nation's opening match draw against Brazil, making a number of saves from Brazil captain Neymar.
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Itumeleng Khune is technically skilled with his weak foot as well, which will allow him to accurately clear the ball with either foot when under pressure.
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Itumeleng Khune donated R150 000 to an old age home in his hometown of Ventersdorp, North West.
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Itumeleng Khune was accompanied by Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, George Lebese and George Maluleka.