‘Crazy’ Kekana lifting the league trophy would be no surprise
THE ARMBAND that once felt like an albatross around Hlompho Kekana’s neck has transformed into something that will make the medal that could dangle on his neck on May 12 extra special.
Kekana (pictured) is searching for his first domestic trophy as Mamelodi Sundowns’ captain, a role he didn’t think he could perform until Surprise Moriri convinced him otherwise. On Sunday he watched from the stands as his team was knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium (he was serving a one-match ban). He will return to that venue tonight to lead Downs in the PSL against the Team of Choice. Sundowns sit at the summit with six points between them and secondplaced Orlando Pirates with three games to go.
“It’s going to be a very special thing for me (to lift my first domestic trophy after lifting the 2016 Caf Champions League and 2017 Caf Super Cup,” Kekana said. “A lot of people, especially the people who appointed me and backed me to be the captain of this club, have a lot of faith in me and I want to repay them for that faith. I would be happy to lift the trophy on behalf of those people, the players, the club and not forgetting the people from Zebediela (where I come from). They would be proud of the team’s work.”
Moriri was at Highlands Park last season when the Brazilians lost the league to Wits, denying Kekana the opportunity to be the first to lift what would have been league title No. 8 for Sundowns in the PSL-era. That disappointment has driven everyone at Sundowns to work extra hard to ensure that they win the league this time around. Unlike last season, when Moriri was on the opposing team on the last day of the league, this time around he will be in Bloemfontein on May 12 as a Sundowns’ coach – serving as the assistant coach of the MultiChoice Diski Challenge team.
“It means a lot to me that he is now back in the team,” Kekana said. “I always bother him whenever I need advice. He is always there for me. It’s nice to have people like Surprise, people who have been in the team for a long time because they help the young guys in terms of understanding the team’s culture. I speak to Surprise about life in general and a lot about football especially about to the position that I play because I know that I am a crazy player so at times I lose my mind. He is always there to calm me down. I need him.”
Kekana helps his teammates keep their sanity with his composure in difficult situations. Tonight’s match is one of those. Maritzburg have knocked Sundowns out of two competitions this season. The Tshwane side has to focus on getting three points against tricky opposition.
“With the amount of support that we have in this club, as players we just have to ensure that we apply ourselves and do the right thing,” Kekana said. “You can’t stop learning. Everyone wants to learn and everyone wants to make sure that they improve the game every year. I know my limitations. I am trying so hard to work on those and I am working hard to be a better player.”