PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Itumeleng Khune - Spider Kid is South Africa's superhero

Itumeleng Khune of South Africa during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier South Africa training session at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane on 09 November 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Friday Nov 10, 2017. 19:00

Itumeleng Khune has been the name on everyone's lips this week, and news that he will start tonight's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Senegal will come as a huge source of relief.

There is no doubt that the 30-year-old is the country's number one goalkeeper, and as soon as reports surfaced that he might be ruled out of home and away fixtures against the Lions of Teranga - panic started to spread.

Khune, though, was never going to let a facial injury rule him out of the clash and will this evening take to the field in a protective mask. Five days after leaving Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 win over Chippa United on a stretcher.

Not quite a batman mask, but something similar as pictured in the tweets below...

His heroics have duly been praised and there is no doubt that Spider Kid's presence will have a major influence on his teammates as Bafana Bafana aim to achieve the impossible.

South Africa need to beat the Lions of Teranga home and away if they are to book a ticket to Russia, with their counterparts to seal a place at next year's World Cup with victory in Polokwane.

But, whatever the outcome, Khune's courageousness will be well documented and rightfully so - especially amid Thualani Serero's antics in failing to pitch for national duty...

The Mask of Zorro? Nope! The Mask of Itumeleng Khune! South Africa take on Senegal this coming Friday with the match set to start at 19h00 at Peter Mokaba Stadium. #DiskiFans #BafanaBafana #United4Bafana pic.twitter.com/xj1QdiwC5Z
— DISKIFANS (@diskifans) November 9, 2017