Discarded Henyekane still dreams of glory with Downs
PENCIL-slim striker Richard Henyekane believes he still has a bright future at Mamelodi Sundowns, despite being loaned out to a struggling club.
For now, however, Henyekane, 30, is focusing on helping relegation-threatened Free State Stars retain their Absa Premiership status.
“I have been enjoying myself at Stars; the move has given me a new lease of life. I’m happy to be playing regularly again,” said Henyekane.
He has been in devastating form since joining Stars in
We have a good team here at Stars. I have no doubt we will survive
January, scoring five league goals in seven appearances to ease the relegation pressure on the club.
“We have a good team here at Stars. I have no doubt we will survive, but we need to continue working hard as a team.”
Though he was reluctant to talk about Sundowns, Henyekane admitted he still had some unfinished business with the Chloorkop club.
At Sundowns, he struggled to command a regular position— the club had even considered releasing him at the end of last season.
In the four years Henyekane has been with Sundowns, he featured in just 27 games — rattling the net 10 times, including five in Downs’s 24-0 romp against amateur side Powerlines in 2012.
The 27 matches were under six different coaches, among them Trott Moloto, Ian Gorowa, Johan Neeskens and incumbent Pitso Mosimane.
Asked which coach he enjoyed working with the most, Henyekane replied: “They were all the best to me, I won’t single out anybody.”
Henyekane is hoping to become one of those players who bounce back into favour after being either loaned, or released, to other clubs.
“I went to Sundowns knowing very well that they have assembled a starstudded team.
“It’s definitely not because of money.
“Sundowns are one of the big clubs and I joined them because I wanted to win trophies. That mission is not accomplished yet.
“There is still some unfinished business . . . because the team has not won a trophy since I arrived.”
Does that mean Henyekane can’t wait to go back to Sundowns?
“I have a contract with Sundowns [expiring in 2016]. I will be going back at the end of the season.
“For now, the focus is to help Stars escape relegation.
“I might have a small frame, but I have a big heart to fight for a position in the starting line-up. I still believe I have a lot to offer.
“From my childhood days in Kimberley, I have never been afraid of competition, but I must confess it’s frustrating to be on the bench or watch the game from the stands.
“I appreciate the chance given to me by Sundowns to join Stars,” said Henyekane, who started his professional career at Golden Arrows in the 2006/2007 season.
At Arrows, Henyekane played with his younger brother, Joseph, with whom he went on to represent South Africa at under-23 level.
The older Henyekane brother was one of the stars at Arrows, scoring crucial goals, as he did during the 2009/2010 season, when he scored 19 in 27 games.
I might have a small frame, but I have a big heart