Ninth place is not good enough

Hola Soccer Laduma readers, I'll be honest with you, finishing ninth with Kaizer Chiefs... that’s not something I’m proud of. It’s not something the club should ever accept. We are a club built on success and tradition. So, for us to end the season outside the Top Eight, it’s painful. It’s very disappointing.

- Itumeleng Khune

But the small consolation is that we'll be playing in the CAF Confederation Cup next season thanks to winning the Nedbank Cup. That's something we must take seriously. Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC have all shown us the way — they reached the semi-finals in CAF competitions. That’s the bar now. And as Kaizer Chiefs, we have no choice but to follow that standard because when you play in CAF, you're not just representing your club, you’re representing South Africa.

We've got a chance to bring back respect on the continent. And we must grab it.

Sundowns can still do it

I watched the CAF Champions League final, first leg and that late goal Sundowns conceded... it felt like a punch in the stomach. I felt it for Ronwen. As a goalkeeper, I know that feeling. You’ve done everything right, kept a clean sheet for 90 minutes, and then boom — they score at the death. That changes the entire mood.

It also plays on your mind. Now, Sundowns know they have to score in Cairo. There’s no other way around it. But I still back them. I’ve seen them go to Egypt and do it before. Last season they drew 0-0 in Pretoria, went to Cairo, and won 1-0 thanks to Teboho Mokoena’s goal. They’ve got the experience and the quality.

Yes, this is a final and that changes everything — the pressure, the emotion, the stakes. But this is a team that’s been together, they’ve built something special. I truly believe they can make the country proud. All it takes is one moment.

Welcome back, KICK OFF

I also want to take a moment to say welcome back to KICK OFF Magazine. Being the first cover star of the re-launch was a proud moment for me. It brought back so many memories. Growing up, KICK OFF was everything to us. Seeing our heroes on that cover... it was big. So, for me to be chosen for the first edition after their return — it was special.