Itumeleng Khune was up early on Sunday morning and was hard at work on the training ground with Bafana Bafana as coach Carlos Alberto Parreira put his team through their paces, as they prepare for their final group game at the 2010 FIFA World Cup which will be against France on Wednesday in Bloemfontein.

Today is also a special day for Khune as he celebrates his 23rd Birthday, the Chiefs shot stopper was born on the 20th June 1987 in Ventersdorp in the North West Province.

While Khune might not be able to celebrate his birthday as Bafana put the icing on their preparations for the final game against France, Khune who is ineligible to play in the game will no doubt be wishing for one thing on his birthday that being progression to the knock out round of the World Cup for South Africa. That will come about if South Africa beat France and Uruguay record a healthy win over Mexico.

On a lighter note fans of Khune might also have noticed that the Chiefs stopper has in recent months had a change in apparel, since making his debut for the Amakhosi in 2007 and Bafana Bafana Khune has always played sporting long pants. Since Bafana's pre-world cup camp in Brazil back in March and through the pre world cup friendly games and the two matches that he has featured in at the 2010 World Cup Khune has changed from wearing long pants to shorts.

Kaizer Chiefs would like to wish Khune a very 'Happy Birthday'.