Johannesburg - It is probably every child's dream to be a mascot at a FIFA World Cup, especially if the tournament is in their country.
And for two young Johannesburg girls, this dream was realised when they were among 307 children selected from South Africa to be mascots at various World Cup games across the country.
BuaNews spoke to eight-year-old Khanyi Khumalo and 15-year-old Tanele Dlamini about their experiences as World Cup mascots.
For little Khanyi, it all started when she spotted a competition calling for parents to enter their children as FIFA mascots for the first World Cup in South Africa. Khanyi entered and was selected. Two months later she was holding hands with Mexico captain Gerardo Torrado as they entered Soccer City Stadium watched by millions of people across the globe.
"I was very nervous and excited at the same time. Even though we did not speak to each other, holding his hand and entering the field with him was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. As a footballer myself it has always been my dream to come face-to-face with some of the famous football teams in the world and the world cup coming to South Africa gave me that opportunity, I am very blessed I know," said Khanyi.
"Knowing that your parents are watching you on TV and all these people are seeing you was what excited me the most and also singing the national anthem in front of those people," she said.
As for Tanele, who played a role as a FIFA flag bearer, being in front of the thousands of vuvuzela blowing spectators for the first time at a stadium was an "unforgettable" experience.
"As we entered the field with that big announcement of our arrival, it was like the people were cheering us, in fact they were at least that's what I believe," said Talane laughing.
Unlike Khanyi, Talane is not a soccer player as she goes to a girls' only school that does not offer soccer as a sport, but she insists: "I love soccer. I did play it at primary school. In fact my friend and I started a soccer team". Asked what team they predict will win the World Cup. "Argentina," shouted Khanyi. But Talane wants an African team to have the last laugh. "I really hope Ghana wins, I pray that they win the world cup".
Both girls, together with thousands of other mascots, had to undergo a series of practice sessions and rehearsals before they finally got it right. "We had to do it at least five times a day just to make sure we were doing it right," said Talane.
The children involved in the world cup form part of FIFA's Youth Programme. Up to 60 children, aged between six and 18, participate at each match in various roles, either as player mascots, ball crew, national and FIFA flag bearers. Each game sees a completely new group of youngsters taking part in various parts of the field. Participants are selected through promotions run by FIFA sponsors.
