Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune believes the 2010 Soccer World Cup has had a lasting effect on the national team.
South Africa have impressed ever since the showpiece event came to an end last year, with head coach Pitso Mosimane leading the team to within touching distance of qualification for the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
Khune is sure the legacy left by the tournament has helped push Bafana Bafana on to the next level, while the hosting of the World Cup has done wonders for the country itself.
"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," Khune told Kaizer Chiefs' official website.
"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 benchmark for Bafana Bafana for many years to come."
He added: "I read that economically it brought in a lot of tourism which was a 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 a young democracy but we can work together and we did all combine to put on a magnificent competition."
South Africa have impressed ever since the showpiece event came to an end last year, with head coach Pitso Mosimane leading the team to within touching distance of qualification for the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
Khune is sure the legacy left by the tournament has helped push Bafana Bafana on to the next level, while the hosting of the World Cup has done wonders for the country itself.
"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," Khune told Kaizer Chiefs' official website.
"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 benchmark for Bafana Bafana for many years to come."
He added: "I read that economically it brought in a lot of tourism which was a 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 a young democracy but we can work together and we did all combine to put on a magnificent competition."