Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune continued with his ‘award collection’ on Friday night when he won the “Newcomer of the Year” Award at the 2008 5th annual Sports Awards. The glittering ceremony was held in Bloemfontein.

The South African Sports Awards have been created to honour individuals and teams who have both excelled on and off the field between 1st November and 31st October each year.

Itumeleng Khune has been a revelation since making his debut in August last year. He was influential as the Glamour Boys bagged the Telkom Knockout in December last year. His performances did not go unnoticed as he made his debut for Bafana Bafana early in 2008.

He won the PSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award, Rookie of the Year Award and was the biggest winner at the Club’s end of the Season awards in June this year.

In winning the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ Award, Itumeleng Khune shrugged off the challenge from some of the brightest young talents that shone in other sporting codes.

“I am once again honoured to be voted as the best Newcomer. I want to thank the Club for giving me the opportunity, The Technical Team, my teammates, my family and Amakhosi including football fanatics who voted for me. Thank you,” he said.

“It is very important that I keep on working hard in improving my game. This season has been difficult but the support that I have received from everyone has been amazing,” he continued adding that he will be ready to join his teammates at training on Monday after being involved in an accident on Saturday.