Late-bloomer Kekana has really come out of his shell since being handed Downs captaincy
JOHANNESBURG: Ahead of the start of the 2017-18 PSL season, we profile captains of the five teams we believe are serious challengers for the league title.
In our second feature, we zoom in on Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Hlompho Kekana. Leadership quality “KK”, as his coach Pitso Mosimane and Sundowns teammates affectionately refer him to, has really come out of his shell since being handed the captain’s armband more than a year ago.
It had come as a bit of a surprise that he had been chosen as the successor, given his reserved nature and hesitance to speak in public.
But in just 12 months, Kekana has grown into the role and is also a match-winner for the Brazilians, to such an extent that his absence is seriously felt when he isn’t playing.
Although Sundowns ended up suffering a 1-0 defeat to Maritzburg United in their MTN8 quarter-final clash at the weekend, Kekana showed in that match what it means to be a leader when he almost single-handedly got them back in the match.
The 32-year-old is still going strong and will again be looking to play a crucial part as a leader and a contributor of goals in Sundowns’ title charge this season, as well as their attempt to defend the Caf Champions League trophy. Route to captaincy Kekana has flown under the radar for much of his career, but has plenty of experience having played for four clubs before eventually landing at Sundowns. He has probably been a reluctant leader by nature, with his age and playing on the international stage for Bafana Bafana leaving him no choice but to accept that he is now a senior player who has to lead by example and guide the younger players.
Kekana has also had ideal role models, like the great Esrom Nyandoro. The Zimbabwean has a lot more in common with Kekana than many realise – the playing style, position and the quiet demeanour off the pitch.
Playing style
Kekana is a late bloomer. His game has definitely evolved with time, and like a fine red wine he has matured with age.
But he’s always had the same qualities and was often overlooked by previous national team coaches until Shakes Mashaba brought him back into the picture recently.
He has always been a deep lying central midfielder who does the dirty work, and sets the attackers free from his time at SuperSport United, where he won the championship twice. It’s really in the last two seasons that he’s added scoring goals to his playing style, a dimension that no doubt paved the way for his national team inclusion.
He managed eight goals in about 40 matches for Sundowns last season, a significant improvement considering he hardly got on the scoring sheet two years before that. Influence Sundowns have the luxury of being able to have cover in every position, given the acquisitions they make every season. But when Kekana is not available, a like for like replacement is hard to come by, even with the embarrassment of riches in the squad. Few are brave enough to attempt to score from as far as Kekana does, and often his accuracy from free kicks is unmatched.
He not only offers goals, but can also spray the passes as well to locate strikers to finish the job. Kekana has become the Downs workhorse that Mosimane cannot do without. His goals win matches and are hardly ever ordinary, and he’s done it for Bafana, too.