Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana legend has shared advice with footballers who have been struggling with criticism, particularly in the PSL.
Khune's name resonated across South Africa, synonymous with both Chiefs and Bafana Bafana. The privilege of playing for the demanding Chiefs faithful and the national team came with constant scrutiny.
Khune personally experienced the sharp edge of criticism, particularly on social media from Amakhosi fans. He found that deleting his Twitter account offered a vital shield against this challenge. He says after doing this, he went back to performing to his best.
He has encouraged the players to stay off social media in order to protect themselves from hearing nasty things said about them.
KHUNE’S ADVICE TO UNDER-FIRE FOOTBALLERS
“In 2011 when we lost to Orlando Pirates [in the MTN8 final], as I left the field. The first thing I did, I went on Twitter and Khune was trending number 1,” said Khune as per FARPost.
“Those comments were heartbreaking. I remember the chairman standing in front of us, addressing us after the game. I wasn’t even listening to him.
“Fans invest so much in football, and now it’s even worse because they’re betting. They always have their betting slips. When they see you, they’ll be like, ‘Hey I bet that Chiefs will win and I lost because you cost me’.
“I’d advise players that just get off social media because it will help their well-being. I did that, I deleted my Twitter for two years, I came back to my best. We won trophies and I downloaded the app again.
“But it’s very important that players go through media training. I was fortunate that at Kaizer Chiefs they offered us that. I used to attend all the sessions even when I was not invited.
“It helped me a lot in terms of how to handle social media. Since I did that I knew how to control my emotions. Yes, I’m a human being, I get hurt when someone says something bad about me.
“But when it’s too much and heavy for you to handle, just logout, give yourself a break and focus on what puts bread on your table which is football because you’re aging.”
