On June 11 2010 South Africa became the first African country to host the Fifa World Cup , Bafana Bafana and Mexico played to a 1-1 draw in the tournaments opening game at Soccer City (FNB Stadium) in Johannesburg.

Amakhosi winger Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the tournaments opening goal when he gave Bafana the lead with a spectacular left footed drive in the 55th minute, also playing in the game were two other Chiefs players Reneilwe Letsholonyane and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. Khune took time out of his vacation and reflected back on the Fifa World Cup with kaizerchiefs.com.

KC.COM: Itumeleng what do you remember out that opening day of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the build up to the game and after the draw with Mexico?

Itumeleng Khune: I spent most of the morning with my family and I recall our bus ride to the stadium and as we made our way through the streets I can still recall the scenes as many people stood on the side of the road with their flags waving us on to the stadium. Outside Soccer City it was unbelievable to see all those fans making their way into the ground. Those are scenes that will stay in mind for a long time, on the bus to take away the nervousness we were singing and it helped calm us.

You were first out for the warm u what was it like going out there and being greeted by all those fans?

Its hard to describe it, that is when it really dawned on me that the World Cup has finally come, the whole experience was really emotional even during the national anthems I kept my eyes close so that I would not be overcome emotionally. Once Iheard the Vuvuzela’s blaring I opened my eyes again.

How was the game itself?

Personally I was calmed by ensuring that I did well to stop a shot fro Guillermo Franco early on, when Shabba scored I went crazy with celebration unfortunately though the game ended in a stalemate.

As a footballer what legacy has the World Cup left behind?

The legacy, you saw it against Egypt in Cairo the World Cup helped us grow and mature as a football nation, before we would have been overpowered now we are able to handle ourselves in different and difficult circumstances. Countries like Japan and the United States their national teams got better after they hosted the World Cup and it is the same for us. The World Cup has left an aspirational bench mark for Bafana Bafana for many years to come.

What has it done for the country?

I read that economically it brought in a lot of tourism which was boost for the business sector, our country was well marketed which I believe will result in continuous tourism. Also we showed that we might be young democracy but we can work together and we did all combine to put on a magnificent competition.