Look after my jersey, Kekana tells Zungu
● That number holds precious memories, Sundowns legend says after returning star takes over No 8
Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain and midfield strongman Hlompho Kekana has asked returning star playmaker Bongani “Sjumba” Zungu to take good care of his old jersey — No 8.
Kekana, who was honoured by Sundowns chair Tlhopie Motsepe for his long service during last weekend’s 1-0 DStv Premiership win over AmaZulu at Loftus in Pretoria, lifted six Premiership titles wearing the number on his back.
In all, Kekana won eight PSL titles, including two with SuperSport United under coach Gavin Hunt, making him one of the most decorated players in the history of the Premier Soccer League.
Zungu — who has had spells in Portugal for Vitória Guimarães SC, in France for Amiens SC and in Scotland for Rangers over the past five years — has returned to Chloorkop, where he is hoping to revive a career that has hit the skids.
At star-studded Sundowns, Zungu faces tough competition from central midfielders Themba Zwane, Andile Jali, Gaston Sirino, Haashim Domingo, Rivaldo Coetzee, Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena and Mothobi Mvala.
The Bafana Bafana midfielder came on in the dying minutes of the win over AmaZulu wearing the Sundowns No 8 jersey also made famous by the legendary Alex “Barnes” Bapela and fan favourite Lerato Chabangu.
“I had a chat with him [Zungu] and I told him to look after the jersey because it is important to me as a person,” Kekana, who also led Sundowns to Caf Champions League and Caf Super Cup successes wearing the number, said.
“I had so many significant memories wearing that jersey, including eight league titles, so it means a lot to me.
“Also, my shoe is size eight and as everybody knows I used to score crazy goals, so you can understand how important the number was to me.
“He is using the number now, but he must work hard to create his own legacy here at the club on his return.
“I got it from whoever was wearing it at that time when I arrived here and I am sure that person also had good memories with it.
“I created my memories with the jersey and it was special because it was the same number that was worn by Alex Bapela, who comes from the same village as me in Zebediela in Limpopo.
“The level I put into the jersey is crazy because nobody ever thought I would reach that level, so for ‘Sjumba’ I want to wish him well with his career at Sundowns and hopefully he will create good memories with the jersey.”
Kekana also led Sundowns under coach Pitso Mosimane at the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan in 2016, when they lost to Kashima Antlers and Jeonbuk Hyundai.
Having tasted a few minutes of action on his return to the club, Zungu may be given a bigger role to play when Sundowns return to official action in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal clash against Orlando Pirates on October 1.