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Khune, Khuzwayo pay tribute to Chiefs' Revoredo

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs goalkeepers Itumeleng Khune and Brilliant Khuzwayo have paid tribute to the club's much-loved goalkeeping coach Alexandre Revoredo who passed away recently.

The two players took to the Soweto giants' website to share their memories of their fallen coach who they worked closely with on a daily basis.

Itumeleng Khune

"Alex was such an energetic person. He was forever smiling. I can’t remember that he ever came to work, looking somewhat down. He loved his job as goalkeeper coach. Alex respected his job and we all respected him.

Before he arrived at Kaizer Chiefs for the 2016/2017 season, I already worked with him at Bafana Bafana, including during the 2010 World Cup.

Whenever we were with Chiefs at FNB Stadium – either for a pre-match training session or a practice game – Alex would tell me: 'Itu, we were together at the 2010 World Cup and we were at the opening game of the tournament. We made history together.'

"His Zulu was better than his English. Alex learnt to speak Zulu during the time he worked with the late Senzo Meyiwa at Orlando Pirates.

To be honest, Alex reminded me a lot of Senzo. They shared some character traits. Alex was a remarkable person. He always greeted everybody, including at the airport.

We would laugh our lungs out when he walked to the other side of the airport hall just to greet somebody, often a person he never met before. It displayed his humility.

"Before a game, Alex would say to me: 'Itu, you are the best. Show it to the country!' It’s sad that Alex never won any major silverware with us.

However, we will now make sure that we will win trophies. We strive to do that for Alex. He was a very special person and I will miss him dearly.”

Brilliant Khuzwayo

"Alex was such a humble and giving person. For example, many players often asked him for sun cream before the training session. As a result, his sun cream was quickly finished. But he never protested.

"I became very close to Alex. We often talked about goalkeeping and life. He seemed happy all the time. He used to tell me: 'Be happy’ or 'Be happy about yourself.'

Alex could make one believe in one’s qualities. And as regards training sessions, Alex wanted us, as goalkeepers, to work hard. There was nothing for free in life.

"He dearly loved his wife Deise and his son Gabriel. When Alex was in Brazil during the off-season or during the Christmas period, he called me with this message: 'Brilliant, please speak to my wife.' He also used to say: 'I can share everything with you, but not my wife!'

He liked to say: 'I have three sons – my own son Gabriel, Senzo Meyiwa and you.’ He often talked about Senzo, about life and death. That was very special.

"He loved being around people, always treating people equally. He was such fun to be around. Alex planned to come to Durban to see my family. Sadly enough, that will not happen. He also asked me to travel to Brazil and I plan to do that one day. Alex will always be with me in spirit."

Chiefs confirmed that the funeral service of Revoredo will take place on Monday.

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