Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has launched his own goalkeeper academy, driven by a mission to solve what he describes as South Africa’s “generational” crisis in producing top-level shot-stoppers.
In an interview with PSLSA, the veteran goalkeeper explained that the country’s long-standing shortage of quality goalkeepers inspired him to invest in the next generation. He pointed to the current reliance on 33-year-old Ronwen Williams as Bafana Bafana’s undisputed number one as evidence of a systemic issue.
“Here in South Africa, we have this [goalkeeper] crisis and it didn’t start with me. It’s been a generational thing,” Khune stated.
He highlighted the Egyptian Premier League’s model—where foreign goalkeepers are banned—as a policy South Africa could learn from, as it forces clubs to develop local talent and strengthens the national pool.
Reflecting on his own career, Khune noted how Chiefs carefully prepared him over many years in their development structures before he succeeded Brian Baloyi and Rowan Fernandez. He compared the need for a consistent production line to Spain’s famed midfield lineage, from Xavi to Iniesta to Pedri.
Khune revealed that founding a goalkeeping academy had long been a dream, but his active playing career took precedence until now.
“I needed to focus all my energy on my game, on improving myself, on helping the team and the national team. So, I didn’t have time to think about being a goalkeeper coach at some point. But I guess now I’ve dealt with my personal things. I’ve accepted and life has to go on.”
Through his new venture, Distribution 101, Khune aims to build a sustainable pipeline of talent to ensure South Africa never again faces a shortage of quality goalkeepers, preparing successors for Ronwen Williams and beyond.
