Johannesburg – Itumeleng Khune kept silent while his inclusion in the Olympics team, as one of the two over-age players along with Mulomowandau Mathoho, was questioned – even by his former Bafana Bafana teammate Moeneeb Josephs.
But on Wednesday he responded loudly without uttering a word. His performance saw him not only dish out large servings of humble pie but also keep a clean sheet against a rampant Brazil.
Josephs and company had argued that Khune’s inclusion in the national Under-23 team wasn’t going to help the country but would knock Jody February’s confidence.
Instead, it did the opposite. It helped February become more confident as he pushed Khune for the No?1 jersey while also strengthening what has been a shaky defence.
“I never let anything get into my head,” Khune said.
“I am a 24-hour professional. I do my job and don’t let anything distract me. I have been in this game for a long time. I always tell myself to turn a negative into a positive.
“That’s what I have done in the past. I will keep doing that. I will never answer back when people express their opinion. I will always respect their views.”
That performance united the nation behind the team.
Now they have to do it all over again when they take on Denmark in Brasilia today. A win would see them put one foot in the quarter-finals with all four nations on one point in Group A.
That means they will need to continue with that solid defence and work on their attack that needs some fine-tuning.
“Everyone playing at the back is a regular for his team,” Khune said.
“With (Eric) Mathoho and Rivaldo (Coetzee), we have a great working relationship because that’s the defensive pair we use at Bafana Bafana, with me in goals. We understand each other. We know what’s expected from one another.
“Credit must also go to (Abbubaker) Mobara for keeping Neymar out of the game and Deolin (Mekoa) for keeping Brazil’s other winger (Anderson) out of the game.
“Everyone deserves credit including the supporting staff, who told us to believe in ourselves. We are ready to take the same performance to the next game. It was important that we don’t drop points.”
In a way, the Brazil game was easy for Khune and company because they had the whole country against them along with more than 70?000 fans in a packed Estadio Mane Garrincha.
The environment won’t be that hostile when they take on Denmark but there will be a decent crowd because that match will come just before Brazil take on Iraq in the group’s other match.
“Whenever I see the stands full, I get motivated,” Khune said.
“It’s a big stage. I need to show my experience. I want to inspire the guys on and off the field. I think I have done that.
“It won’t stop here, though. We still have two more games.
“The coach (Owen da Gama) told us we shouldn’t get carried away.
“Yes, the point from Brazil was huge and we have to be happy.
“We have to work extra hard to score goals and win the next two matches.”