Chiefs fail to show up in Itumeleng Khune's celebration, but still do enough to keep eighth place

• Amakhosi played to a dull goalless draw at FNB Stadium against Polokwane City, but that point was enough for them to keep their place in eighth position. 
• The dull affair dampened the club's celebration of Itumeleng Khune's 25 years of service, in front of a paltry crowd. 
• Khune, who hadn't played for the club since November last year, played the last 15 minutes in what could be his last home match as a Chiefs' player. 
• For more DStv Premiership news, go to the News24 dedicated soccer page.  

Kaizer Chiefs and their supporters failed to show up to celebrate their icon, with the team playing to an uninspiring goalless draw against Polokwane City in front of a paltry crowd at FNB Stadium. 

If this is to be Itumeleng Khune's last home match as a Chiefs' player, then the goalkeeper who announced himself with a bang when he burst into the scene with Amakhosi would have left the scene in a whimper. 

Supporters were streaming out of the stadium when Khune did a lap of honour at full-time after being brought in for the last 15 minute to celebrate his quarter of a century at Amakhosi. 

The muted celebrations of Khune's 25 years of Chiefs was a sad indictment of where he and the club are – with both hanging on past glories with the recent past filled with disappointment and controversy. 

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A handful of supporters were inside the biggest stadium on the continent, to celebrate the most decorated player of the most supported team in Southern Africa. 

The announcer tried his best to hype up the moment, which in normal circumstances would sell itself – with Khune's contribution and success not only at Chiefs but in South African football making him one of the most significant footballers of the last two decades. 

Before kickoff, supporters were instructed to sit on one side of the stadium – so that it looks visually pleasing.

But that one side – the main stand – has its back on most cameras, which meant that as Khune walked into the stadium, greeted by a guard of honour from both teams, all he could see was empty orange seats. 

He only saw supporters when he turned around to face the main stand, before going to the club's football manager Bobby Motaung and sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior who handed him two framed jerseys – the home one signed by players and the away jersey with just one signature. 

The crowd that witnessed that moment was so paltry that Khune probably has raked up more accolades than the number of people who had come by then to honour him at that moment.

The crowd grew as the match progressed, but still was not befitting of the occasion. Khune's support, and that of Amakhosi, has dwindled over the years.

The goalkeeper's transgression of allegedly arriving at the club's base in Naturena under the influence of alcohol, as their captain and most senior player, soured his relationship with Chiefs and the supporters. 

While for Amakhosi, their nine trophy-less seasons means that they only fill FNB Stadium when they play in the Soweto derby – with most fans even staying away to celebrate their once favourite son. 

But the few who came, especially the crowd that sat directly behind the Amakhosi bench, made it a special occasion.

They sang for the Chiefs' legend who started from the bench in what could be his last home game for the club with his contract ending on 30 June. 

They even called for his introduction just before the hour mark, after Hlayisi Chauke came close from giving Rise and Shine the lead. 

He watched the goalkeeper he helped groom, Bruce Bvuma, start ahead of him in an important contest for a top eight finish between the eighth placed Chiefs and Rise and Shine who started the day in ninth place.  

The tempo of the match betrayed what was at stake, especially for Amakhosi who had promised to end their home leg of the DStv Premiership on a high by winning their last match at FNB Stadium. 

This felt more like a friendly, then a must-win match for the hosts. Both goalkeepers were hardly troubled, they could have joined Khune on the bench for the first hour and no one would have noticed. 

Polokwane upped the tempo in the hour mark, pushing Chiefs back and troubling them with their pace.

In frustration, Chiefs' supporters called for substitutions – wanting Khune to be brought in even though Bvuma had kept the club in the match while the weak link was their stuttering defence and blunt attack.

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The supporters got their wish when Khune was brought on for Bvuma to play the last 15 matches. He entered the field to rapturous applauses. But the club couldn't get the win that they and Khune desperately needed to make this a fond farewell. 

While Chiefs sealed their place in eighth position, Richards Bay and Royal AM will slug it out to avoid 15th position as Moroka Swallows ensured their safety even though they lost 2-0 to SuperSport United. 

Richards Bay's 3-1 loss to Cape Town City kept them rooted in 15th place, while Royal AM, who played to a goalless draw with Chippa United, are three points ahead of the Natal Rich Boyz in 14th position.