Itumeleng Khune has been a vital cog for both Club and country this season. On Saturday he led Bafana Bafana in their crucial win against the Central African Republic in Cape Town in the Fifa 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. Khune was appointed by Gordon Igesund as captain for that game and he led his teammates with aplomb both on and off the field.

The Bafana Bafana Coach was quoted as saying he is “pleased with the manner Khune coped being a captain of both Club and country. The boy has a good head on his shoulders,”

“Spider” was back at the Village on Tuesday afternoon to work with his Club teammates ahead of an important league tie against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday, 31 March 2013 in Bloemfontein. He spoke to kaizerchiefs.com about what drives him and his feelings about the future.

Congratulations to you and your Bafana Bafana teammates for a wonderful win against the Central African Republic…

Itumeleng Khune: Thank you! It was an important game for us and our objective going into the game was to get the result. It would have been an embarrassment to the nation if we had not won the game.

We received wonderful support going to the match from Government, SAFA, our Clubs, Supporters and everyone wishing us luck. We are all pleased about the outcome of the game.

You captained the team; what was it like to lead your teammates to the pitch for such an important encounter?

Itumeleng Khune: It was an honour to captain my country, a feeling that I cannot put into words. I worked very well with my teammates and if there was something they brought up with me, we were able to deal with it without any issues. When the day of the game arrived we were all ready to make the country proud.

The Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula had a few words with you before the game…

Itumeleng Khune: The Minister has been very supportive and he was a driving force together with our S.A.F.A President, Kirsten Nematandani during the Africa Cup of Nations. We knew going to the game that we were carrying the hopes of 55 million people who were expecting nothing less than a good result from us.

We are all excited and grateful for the support we have been getting from everyone. I do not like talking about myself but I can speak on behalf of my teammates, that we are looking forward to the next three qualifying games. It is our job to do well for the country and we are all delighted that we were able to give back to the supporters that had come in numbers to support us.

We are confident that we are on the road to Brazil. There are only five teams that will qualify for the finals and the Bafana Bafana’ name will be there among the Africa representatives.

You have hardly put your foot wrong this season, doing well for both the Club and country. What has been the driving force behind your performances?

Itumeleng Khune: It has been through the Grace of God that I have been able to do well since the start of the season. I prayed and continue to pray to the Almighty to keep me injury free and I have managed to play 28 games this season without being interrupted by injuries.

People reminded me before the start of the season about my debut season, 2007/2008 season and I always go back to play some of my DVD’s of that season and I was determined to return to the Itumeleng Khune people got to know that season. I wanted the Itumeleng Khune that was part of the team that won the Telkom Knockout and going to Ghana for the Africa Cup of Nations eventually taking over the no. 1 jersey in 2008.

This would not have been possible without the help of my teammates. They are the ones who helped me shine, the supporters, my Management team and everyone at Naturena for keeping me focused on my job. I go to the pitch and tell myself, I PLAY FOR YOU (the supporter) it has never been about me since I started here as a 12-year-old. During the 90 minutes of the game and the two hours training I switch off and give my all – nothing else matters but football.

It is good to meet fans on the streets, shopping malls, even at The Village congratulating me about my contribution for both the Club and country, but I always make sure all the good being said about me does not go to my head. If you speak to people that I have grown up with me , some of my teammates, and my friends they will tell you I have not changed and I am still the same Khune who came here as a boy looking to succeed. I have not even scratched the surface now and I am hungry to do well for both Club and country.

The supporters seem to take a centre stage everytime you do an interview and you always take time to speak to them during Meet & Greets organised by the Club…

Itumeleng Khune: The supporters are key for the success of not only me but they have been a driving force since the formation of the Club in 1970. They are at the centre of what the Club is all about and I learnt this as a youngster playing in the development.

I always dedicate every ‘Man of the Match’ award to the supporters. I am grateful for the support that I am getting. I sometimes go back to interviews in the magazines I did when I started out and I know that without everyone’s support I would not be where I am today. THANK YOU!

Back then (2007) you spoke about your background; how has this helped shape you now in your position as a Captain for the Club?

I remember while going up and down with trains for training sessions from Ventersdorp to Jhannesburg as a 12-year-old I nearly gave up; “I do not need to do this”, I said to myself on one of my long trips. It was difficult for me coming from an underprivileged background but all I wanted was to play football. I knew I had to keep going and again here the Club was with me and my family and the fans.

I am proud for people to know my story and even when I get to speak to youngsters I share it because the road was rough. The situation at home was not that good and I never want to be in that situation again and that is why I give my best every time I play.

The Team is travelling to Bloemfontein this coming weekend for a tricky tie against Bloemfontein Celtic…

Itumeleng Khune: The first thing about that game is the passion displayed by both set of supporters, Amakhosi and Amasokolare (smiles). The battle is going to start on the stands and rub off onto the players on the pitch.

We are looking at doing well against Celtic. We want to open the gap on top of the Absa Premiership and I am confident that we will come back with the points. We are fortunate to be working with a coach of Stuart Baxter’s calibre who despite our win, any margin he always tells us, “you can do better”. We will be looking at doing better than we have done all season when we meet Celtic come Sunday.