Khune praises Khuzwayo

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune has praised his fellow goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo, who he believes has "worked his socks off" and has made him proud with his call-up to the national team.

Khuzwayo, together with Dareen Keet and Siyabonga Mpontshane were the three glovesmen picked by Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashabafor the upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria

KickOff.com website quotes Khune on Khuzwayo's progress: “I think he has worked his socks off. He showed what a great goalkeeper he is and for him to be called up, it shows that doors are always open for any talent in this country.

“Coach Shakes Mashaba took over and he is giving all the youngsters the opportunity to come in and move the country's football forward.

“Brilliant made me proud and I just want to say, he must keep up the good work and whoever gets the nod to play he must just do it in honor of Senzo Meyiwa,” added Khune in reference to the late Bafana captain Meyiwa, who was buried in Durban on Saturday after being fatally shot in Vosloorus on October 26.

Khune revealed that Khuzwayo showed his ambition on his arrival at Naturena.

“When Brilliant came to Chiefs, he said he wants to be number one. I respected his wish, I didn't have a problem with that.

“But I had to show him that there is number one at Chiefs whom he found there and I worked hard to maintained that number one position. But after I experienced the injury, he came on and he showed that he made a promise and he has lived up to the promise.

“He must keep up the good work,” concluded Khune, who was the number one for club and country prior to injuring his ankle two months ago.