‘Hlompho’s not heavy, he is my brother,’ says teammate Langerman

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Tebogo Langerman has opened up about his enduring friendship with teammate Hlompho Kekana that began when the two met at former club SuperSport United about a decade ago.

Langerman, 32, said his captain at Sundowns was one of the few people in the world he could turn to when he needed advice and their bond had grown stronger over the years.

“I have my mistakes and he is one person who will sit me down and advise me‚” Langerman‚ one of the most decorated footballers in the PSL, with five league titles, said.

“When I have done something wrong he tells me straight and I value his advice.

“If it means calling me out in front of my teammates‚ he does it and there are no hard feelings because he has helped me a lot.”

Langerman shares a room with Kekana when they are in camp — a tradition that started during their days at SuperSport United.

And though he still has a good relationship with retired former teammates Surprise Moriri and Teko Modise‚ it is his “brother” Kekana who remains at his side.

“I spend a lot of time together with Hlompho‚” he said.

“Actually‚ since coach Pitso Mosimane arrived here at Sundowns‚ I have been sharing a room with him in camp.

“Other players do change their roommates from time to time but we don’t change because he is like my brother.

“I also have a good relationship with Surprise Moriri and Teko Modise but because they are not with the first team any more‚ I have Hlompho.”

The Sundowns fans sometimes give Langerman stick when his crosses from the left wing do not get into the right areas but he understands their frustration.

“I understand their disappointment — sometimes when I do not the basics right‚ even myself in my head, after a bad cross, I know that I should have done better‚” he said.

“After a poor decision of execution‚ I always want to make sure that the next opportunity I do better and you will see them happy.

“I can say that the fans love me because of my commitment and if I don’t deliver a quality cross they become disappointed.

“They get disappointed because they trust me and they want me to do better because of my experience.

“To be able to deliver a good cross‚ I use the inside of my foot and if I want to spin it I make sure that I go around the ball.

“I also check the angle to decide which technique to use‚ but it needs concentration and most of the time you have to make a decision under immense pressure from the opponent.”