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Cape Town - Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez has backed Itumeleng Khune to rediscover his best form after returning to first team action on Tuesday night.
READ: Kaizer Chiefs goal sparks goal-line debate
Khune started in goal for Amakhosi against Baroka at the Peter Mokaba Stadium and his mix-up with Daniel Cardoso led to an own goal from the defender.
The 31-year-old was returning after being given time off following his girlfriend Sbahle Mpisane's car accident on Thursday. Having endured a similar experience during his time at Kaizer Chiefs, Fernandez feels that Khune has what it takes to recover.
"I was involved in a car accident in 2001 where unfortunately I knocked over a cyclist and he passed away, and then in the same week I was bitten by a spider and was in ICU for a week," Fernandez told Vodacom Soccer.
"It was a test of character, and luckily at the time, Bobby [Motaung] was around and Muhsin [Ertugral] was around - and Rainer [Dinkelacker]. I had good support from the team itself, which was good for me."
Having urged Amakhosi to give similar backing to their current captain, Fernandez defended Khune's performance against Baroka.
"There were some glimpses of the Khune that we saw; the distribution was there, he made a couple of good saves, coming out for crosses and commanding his area," he claimed.
"It was a very difficult game for him. I think he did well in the circumstances. It'll be a while before he gets back to his full mental capacity because of the situation, but he'll be back soon. He's been in the game for too long to not be back."
