JOHANNESBURG – Itumeleng Khune has quickly jumped to teammate Mario Booysen’s defence after he was singled out by fans following Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Saturday afternoon.
Amakhosi surrendered an early lead that was given to them by striker Khama Billiat and Booysen was responsible for losing possession in the danger area, allowing the Buccaneers the breakthrough to score the second goal through Vincent Pule.
Pirates had managed an equaliser moments before via a headed goal from leftback Innocent Maela.
“To be honest there is no difference who plays in front of me,” goalkeeper Khune responded when asked whether a new back four contributed to the weekend’s Absa Premiership defeat. Booysen and his centreback partner Siyabonga Ngezana were playing together for the first time since September 18.
“Whoever is given the chance to play shouldn’t matter because we keep working on combination plays even at training. To be honest I don’t see anything wrong with starting Mario (ahead of Daniel Cardoso, who is usually paired with Ngezana),” Khune said.
Mario Booysen of Kaizer Chiefs (left) is challenged by Augustine Mulenga of Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
“He is an experienced campaigner. He has played in the Cape Town derby (for Ajax versus Cape Town City) and the Tshwane derby (for both Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United) before.
Yes the expectations in the Soweto Derby are higher, but he is experienced and has been playing in the league for quite a while. And he has done well for his previous clubs."
"I don’t see a reason why we should be pinpointing who should and who shouldn’t be playing – all players who have been signed deserve to play.”