In case you didn’t know a lot about Mamelodi Sundowns icon Hlompho Kekana, right here’s one thing to convey you on top of things.
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Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana is the GOAT
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Kekana was a combative and explosive character on the pitch, however off it, he’s as humble as they arrive. Regarded by his teammates as a mannequin skilled and instance, he took care of his physique and was match as a fiddle even on the ripe age of 36. His devotion to a nutritious diet didn’t do him any hurt both.
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The retired midfield normal stays well-liked with journalists too, having all the time made himself out there for calls and interviews. In the aftermath of Sundowns’ tenth ABSA Premiership title win, a triumph that accomplished a fabled “La Decima”, Kekana was effusive when praising his teammates. Those males who fought alongside him to grab the title on the very ultimate day. Kekana was really team-oriented man.
Hlompho’s many accolades
Kekana let his soccer do the speaking at Sundowns, accumulating a treasure trove of silverware after making the swap from Bloem Celtic in 2011.
- 🇿🇦 8 x PSL titles
- 🏆 1 x CAF Champions League title
- ☕️ 1 x CAF Super Cup
- 📲 2 x Telkom Knockout titles
Glittering Sundowns legacy
Kekana is probably the most adorned participant within the historical past of South African top-flight soccer with eight league titles to his title. He was really certainly one of Pitso Mosimane’s most trusted lieutenants in battle. Somewhat surprisingly, Kekana was solely capped 21 occasions by Bafana Bafana, however didn’t permit that oddity to get in the best way of his quest for membership glory.
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It’s onerous to neglect Kekana’s match-winning show within the 2015 Telkom Knockout in opposition to Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Amakhosi had been denied not as soon as however twice from the penalty spot by the wonderful Denis Onyango in aim, first from Siphiwe Tshabalala and then Camaldine Abraw. It could be Kekana who smashed residence Sundowns’ third from a chic Themba Zwane backheel to seal a 3-1 win.
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As was the case on so many events all through his profession, Hlompho was on the profitable aspect in a cup ultimate. A yr later, Kekana would raise African membership soccer’s largest prize as Sundowns turned CAF Champions League kings.
Style & evolution
Kekana’s evolution into an entire midfield participant noticed him reinvent his type on a couple of event. Originally a pure defensive midfielder, he moved via the gears as a damaging box-to-box operator, later a traditional quantity 8 and eventually he did a little bit of every part on a soccer pitch with panache and authority.
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Nothing fairly says “the complete package” like a midfielder who chips in with essential objectives in massive video games, thunderbolts from vary, curling free-kicks and a nomination for the Puskás award in 2016. Only gamers with large personalities can pull off an audacious effort from round 60 yards like Kekana did in opposition to Cameroon some six years in the past, and this man had these qualities and extra in abundance. The Guardian referred to as that aim “Beckham-esque.”
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In 2020, Kekana earned YET one other nomination for the Puskás award.
Did you already know?
On March 4th 2012, Mamelodi Sundowns broke the South African document for many objectives scored in a single match after they beat Powerlines FC 24-0 within the Nedbank Cup. Kekana helped himself to seven objectives on the day as Sundowns confirmed no mercy to their novice opponents.
Back when there was a galaxy of Sundowns stars like Zwane, Zungu, Billiat, Modise, Dolly & Tau, Hlompho Kekana was the rock orbiting Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium for nearly a decade.
Has there ever been a extra full midfielder within the historical past of South African top-flight soccer? If so, I’m all ears within the feedback part.
💦 Check Hlompho out on Instagram.
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