Junior Khanye wants to open doors for Daveyton footballers
Khanye told the paper he uses his history to motivate his players to stay focused.
When Junior Khanye burst onto the scene at 17 years old at Kaizer Chiefs in the 2002/2003 season, he became the darling of the Chiefs faithful.
Renowned for his dribbling skills, Khanye picked up 10 man of the match awards in his first 10 games for Chiefs, a record that is still unmatched today.
This consistency earned him a salary increase after 15 matches and instead of embracing this trust that Chiefs bestowed upon him, his off-the-field antics led to the end of his career.
Khanye’s overwhelming fame got him into trouble a lot. He shared with the City Times that after being kicked out of Chiefs, he went through a tough period, dancing between poverty and prosperity.
“I was only with the Chiefs senior side for two seasons. After that I went to play for Platinum Stars, but I was released because of ill-discipline.
“Between 2006 and 2007, I had no team as no one wanted to sign me. They would say I am talented but I am troublesome.
“In 2008, I joined Maritzburg United and after that I went to United FC, where I was captain for two seasons. Between 2012 and 2013, I had no team. In 2014 I had a six-month stint with Malanti Chiefs in Swaziland. From there my career ended.”
In an interview with sportscaster Robert Marawa last year, he detailed how he was involved in nine car accidents with his Golf 4 GTR because of alcohol. In total, Khanye said he was involved in 15 car accidents and has written off several cars.
Following that tumultuous period, Khanye had no team and had to go back home to Daveyton with nothing.
He told the paper that at the lowest moment in his life, a stranger from the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) approached him. Then things started to change.
“I was damaged spiritually. I was helped by someone from ZCC around 2012 when he came to me and I joined the church. Ever since, I have achieved what I didn’t achieve when I was a footballer.”
Khanye is now a celebrated football analyst for iDiski Times and an ambassador for World Sports Betting.
Today, he can be found at the grounds behind the Jerry Moloi Library in Etwatwa, watching with keen interest as his team, Fak’imali Uzobona FC, trains. This is how he is rewarding the community that moulded him.
“We have talented footballers in Daveyton, but there’s no team to nurture this talent. Due to our background, there is no player from Daveyton who has played for more than 10 years for Chiefs, Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns. I believe that with the work we are doing here, these boys can achieve that.”
His work is already bearing fruit as some of his players have already turned professional.
“I have identified talented players and most of these boys are being scouted. We have two players playing in the ABC Motsepe League, while one has signed a contract with Sekhukhune United’s Multichoice Diski Challenge team.”
Khanye told the paper he uses his history to motivate his players to stay focused.
“The decisions I made killed my career. I want to help these boys stay on course and change their families’ lives. They come from homes where they are breadwinners. I want to help them psychologically. I want them to learn how to balance football and school. That’s why I want a proper academy.
“I tell these boys that not many people get a second chance. I had no team when I was 21. I tell them that talent alone is not enough. They have to respect the game and it will reward them immensely.”
Inspired by Kaizer Chiefs founder Kaizer Motaung, Khanye wants to turn this club into a brand that will change the lives of people in Daveyton.
“I was impacted by what Kaizer did with Kaizer Chiefs. When I did my research, I found out that Chiefs didn’t grow overnight. There was a foundation and from that they created a team culture that led to what the team is today.
“I’m the first player from Etwatwa to play in the PSL. I want these boys to follow in my footsteps. I will be happy when I see our coach earn his coaching badges. I want to see our kit manager contracted and earning money. I want to see the team manager networking and growing this team. I want to change people’s lives.”
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