Hlompho Kekana: A PSL Phenomenon
Hlompho Kekana: A PSL Phenomenon. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder is now in his mid-30’s. Many players seek retirement or playing at lesser clubs at 35, yet Hlompho Kekana has just captained Mamelodi Sundowns to a terrific treble only last week. Hlompho Kekana: A PSL Phenomenon.
Hlompho Kekana made his debut in 2007 for Black Leopards. Kekana was 21 years old when Coach Hans-Dieter Schmidt presented him with his debut against Platinum Stars. The game ended in a dreary 0-0.
Kekana went on to represent Lidoda Duvha until 2008 when he joined Gavin Hunt at SuperSport United. When he joined Matsatsantsa, they had just won the 2008 ABSA Premiership title. It didn’t stop there; as SuperSport went on to win the following two title campaigns.
In 2010, when Daine Klate left SuperSport United for Orlando Pirates, Hlompho Kekana left to join Bloemfontein Celtic. The key players in United’s title winning campaigns had left for pastures green. This is when Orlando Pirates dominated South African football for the following two seasons.
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In this time, Hlompho Kekana moved to Mamelodi Sundowns after only one season with Siwelele. He joined a side that was on the outside looking in. With all the riches, quality of player and quality of coaching staff that Sundowns had, they couldn’t usurp Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Fast forward 2020, Hlompho Kekana has now won 5 titles with Mamelodi Sundowns. That tally, combined with the 2 ABSA Premiership medals he won with SuperSport; Hlompho Kekana now sits with 7 PSL titles. The most of any individual in the division.
Arguably, the biggest achievement is not even those 7 titles, but the CAF Champions League Kekana captained Mamelodi Sundowns towards. Sundowns became the second team after Orlando Pirates to win Africa’s greatest club football trophy when they did so in 2016.
Kekana is also regarded as one of the finest long range strikers in world football. Kekana was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award in 2016 when he scored a 65-yard screamer against Cameroon for Bafana Bafana
