Chiefs coach rules out Khune return for Stellies MTN8 clash: 'We need a fit and focused Itu'

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane said veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune needs to be in the right mental and physical shape to take the field for the club.

While Chiefs' goalkeeping department hasn't come under scrutiny despite their iffy start to the season, Zwane has rotated Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Pietersen in the five league games this season.

Khune, who has been bedevilled by injuries, a loss of form, and off-field matters in the past three seasons, hasn't featured for the club regularly.

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Zwane, whose team needs to bounce back from Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Cape Town City when they face Stellenbosch FC in their MTN8 quarter-final clash at the Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday, said Khune has to go through their return to play protocols before he's considered for selection.

"You have to look at his mental state. Is he ready to go out and do his best from a mental and psychological perspective?" Zwane said. "He's been doing well at training, but he's in a program, and in that program, we're pushing him to be ready to play.

"We could throw him into the deep end and yes, he has the experience, but we need a fit and focused Itu that we know will add value.

"If we throw him into the den and he's not physically ready, that may count against him and the team going forward.

"We protect all of the players, not just him and we treat all of the players the same. When he's ready to play, he'll play."

Zwane said their second Western Cape outing won't be easy, especially with the fact that Stellenbosch FC were well beaten by Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.

Chiefs didn't have the best of first halves against Cape Town City, but improved