Limpopo to Egypt, to Japan
HLOMPHO Kekana had to wait a long time for his moment in the spotlight, despite being a consistent figure in central midfield from his days at Black Leopards, SuperSport United and Bloemfontein Celtic.
That episode taught him patience and now he has achieved most of his goals, albeit late in his career.
It’s at Mamelodi Sundowns, a club he now captains, where most people started to appreciate the tough midfielder.
Kekana served as a bouncer, carefully guarding the back four while flexing his muscle in midfield, as the Brazilians marched to claim the Caf Champions League.
His exploits on the continent earned him a nomination for the Caf African-based Player of the Year award, along with teammates Denis Onyango, Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat.
Having conquered Africa, Kekana and his teammates are now looking to replicate that on the global stage in the Fifa Club World Cup.
“As a player it’s always important to learn – you can never know everything,” Kekana said.
“I would like to grow as a player by participating in this tournament and being exposed to a global audience.
“I know that being in this tournament will relive many memories for us. I just hope they are good memories.”
Sundowns will start making those memories on Sunday against either Japanese champions Kashima Antlers or Oceania champions Auckland City.
The Brazilians will find out today who they will face in the quarter-finals after the two clubs play each other.
The 31-year-old Kekana still harbours dreams of playing abroad, motivated by how the best moments of his career have come late in life.
The global stage that is the Club World Cup will give Kekana an ideal opportunity to expose his talent at an international level, helping those who only know him from his wonder-strike against Cameroon – the goal made the longlist of nominees for Fifa’s Goal of the Year award – put a face to that powerful shot.
“I feel young. There’s a lot that I can still offer in the game,” Kekana said.
“All I need is an opportunity to show my talent. The rest will take care of itself.
“There are still goals I would like to I achieve. I don’t need any motivation, being on the field of play is enough. This goes back to the people I represent and tryinh to make proud, people from Zebediela in Limpopo and the entire country.
“I am not doing this just for me. I have raised the bar and need to perform consistently at that level.”
Kekana shed a tear when he lifted the Champions League trophy in Alexandria, Egypt, after the Brazilians beat Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate.
He made history in the process by becoming the first Sundowns captain to lift the prestigious trophy. Now, he is the first skipper to lead a South African club in the Club World Cup.
“We brought the Champions League to the country, the plan now is to leave a mark on the international stage,” Kekana said.
“We would like to go all the way. We know what we have to do to get there.
“If we work hard and are united, we can see ourselves in the final.”