Kaizer Chiefs marketing and commercial director Jessica Motaung has opened up about their position and where they stand with club legend Itumeleng Khune regarding the brand ambassadorship role that the club had initially offered him.
This is at the back of Khune’s new highly publicised partnership with betting company
Topbet, where he is now a shareholder.
The twist to the matter is that Chiefs themselves have a partnership with a betting company SuperSportBet – which could be a conflict of interest, and a clash of brands should the club and Khune find each other on the discussion table.
However, speaking to Sunday World this week, Motaung said as much Khune is appreciated at the club, they will be reviewing the situation and will be looking at other dynamics.
“As a club we are certainly reviewing the situation,” Motaung said.
“We have been in discussions with Itu about the way forward and the new dynamics need to be looked at holistically.
“But regardless of what happens through the discussions, Itu will always be part of the family – he is a legend in our team and someone we will always have a relationship with. Itu will always be part of the Kaizer Chiefs family, and he can be with us in many capacities.
“So, in the meantime, we will sit on the drawing board and chat with him about the way forward,” Motaung said.
Khune, 37, has also emphasised that amid the events taking place in his life – being a TV analyst, co-owner of a betting company, and pursuing a career in the mining industry, he still wants to be a professional footballer.
“My status at this current moment is that I have not mentioned the word retirement. I believe that at 37 years old, and as a goalkeeper, I’m still young.
After all, goalkeepers mature like fine wine.
“So, I am continuing to train to keep myself fit. So we will see what happens in the future because if I had to sign as a footballer for another team, then I wouldn’t be with Chiefs.”
However, in compliance with the Fifa rules, the Amakhosi legend would be violating the code of ethics as he is directly involved with a betting company as a co-owner – something that is forbidden according to the rules set by the world football governing body.
Khune does not want to look for another club elsewhere yet. It is a catch-22 situation because if he leaves, he would ruin a 25-year legacy and it will be very difficult for him to go back to Chiefs.
Itumeleng Khune is selfish,he wants to hold our team at
ransom.If he wants to leave he can just go, his time is over.Kaizer Chiefs is right now better off without him
Let him just do the honorable thing, go and joint Brian
Baloyi and bo Dr Khumalo, Shaba,Yeye and other legends.