Khune to appear in All Stars team despite Kaizer Chiefs suspension

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune’s involvement in the PSL All-Star team has caused quite the stir with the Carling Black Label Cup sponsors wading into the discussion.

Carling Black Label Brand Director Arné Rust revealed that there was a misunderstanding between the PSL, Kaizer Chiefs, and themselves as Carling Black Label Cup organisers about Khune’s involvement.

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Kaizer Chiefs rebel in the All Stars fold

Khune won the most fan votes for the All-Star team that will meet Carling Knockout Cup champions Stellenbosch FC in the Black Label Cup on Saturday afternoon at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The stopper was suspended from all football activities by his club in early December 2023 for misbehaviour following reports that he attended training under the influence of alcohol.

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Carling issued an XI without Khune just before Christmas, only for him to return when they revealed the “official” selection, prompting Chiefs to issue a statement stating that Khune was still suspended and ineligible for selection.

Khune is back in

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That statement has now been removed, and they say that it was written in error, with the former Amakhosi captain being reinstalled in the starting lineup.

“I think there was a slight miscommunication between us, the PSL and Kaizer Chiefs where he was always eligible to play in the Carling Black Label Cup, even though he was on suspension from Kaizer Chiefs,” Rust told iDiski Times.

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“So that was just a moment of many different things happening at the same time but we are very happy that Khune is here and representing.

“I think there are two points there, [one] is that he has played in every single Carling Cup for the last 10 years and if I have to think back where I was in 10 years ago that’s a lifetime.

“And the second one is that if we look at Diski [DDC] players who have been included, it’s fantastic for them as well. Not only to meet their heroes but to learn from them, to take some of the things that Itu has been able to learn or the school fees that he’s been able to pay over a very long and distinguished career and to pass some of that on to the up and coming Diski players.”