Downs bid farewell to illustrious captain
The Zebediela-born midfielder had a distinguished career over 10 years with Mamelodi Sundowns playing over 350 matches.
Mamelodi Sundowns has bid farewell to former captain Hlompho Kekana.
“KK”, as he is affectionately known, had a contract that was going to conclude at the end of the current (2021/22) season.
The Zebediela-born midfielder had a distinguished career over 10 years with Mamelodi Sundowns playing over 350 matches.
At the beginning of the season, the player was honoured by the club with a long-service award for his dedication and devotion to the club.
The club legend is among the most decorated footballers in South African football history. Among his numerous honours at Sundowns, Kekana lifted six Premiership League titles, the 2016 CAF Champions League and the 2017 CAF Super League.
Before joining Sundowns, Hlompho had two league titles to his name and this makes him one of the most decorated players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
He is also the only South African to be nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award on two occasions (in 2016 and 2020).
Earlier Kekana thanked the club for giving him an opportunity.
“In 2011, the opportunity to play for this team was one I couldn’t pass me by. This past decade has reminded me what is meant by ‘the sky is the limit’ and the success on the field is something that as a little boy, playing soccer on the streets of ZB, I could only dream of.
“There have been some beautiful memories, adventures and stories that the people who shared the journey alongside me, have lived. Airplanes and buses, time spent at airports, the opportunity to interact with people from across the continent and even beyond,” Kekana said.
“I’ve gotten to see what Mamelodi Sundowns means to people. I’ve gotten the opportunity to captain the side and develop my leadership skills. I’ve gotten to learn lessons about football, business and life from coaches, teammates, and so many other great people and beautiful souls who make the club run and try to make things easy for us players.”
Mamelodi Sundowns chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe, remarked on Hlompho’s inspirational journey.
“In almost all of his interviews, Hlompho always referred to himself as ‘a boy from the village’. He is proud of where he has come from and his journey as a boy from Zebediela to a man leading Mamelodi Sundowns to the FIFA Club World Cup in Osaka, Japan, is a story that I pray all future leaders in South Africa draw inspiration from.
“As with other Sundowns legends, there is always the opportunity for Kekana to return to Mamelodi Sundowns in a different capacity when he decides to retire from active football. The long serving former captain met with the players and technical team after training to bid them farewell,” Motsepe said.
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