Hlompho confident of 2nd star for Downs

Former Mamelodi Sundowns’ most decorated captain Hlompho Kekana may have come to the end of his playing career at the club but he still wishes them well.

Speaking in an interview with Alex News at Carling Black Label’s Gold Medals Giveaway campaign, Kekana, who has more than 10 Premier Soccer League trophies under his belt, said he wished his former team good luck in what he described as a remarkable campaign for a second star in the Caf Champions League.

“I have no bad feelings whatsoever now that I am outside the structures of the club and wish them all the best in this remarkable campaign to obtain a second star of the champions’ league.

“They served me well as the skipper for many years and I delivered the trophies, what more can I ask for? As one of the most ambitious teams in both the domestic league and on the African safari, Sundowns always looks for fresh legs to do the job for them and unfortunately it was time up for mine,” Kekana said.

As the skipper who delivered their first star after many years of trials and tribulations, Kekana said Sundowns should not despair after their first loss to Petro de Luanda of Angola in the knockout stages of the campaign after registering impressive victories and one draw in the group stages.

“The team must just make sure they annihilate the visitors when they come here for the second leg of the quarter-finals. They must also make sure Petro does not score away goals which may complicate things for them when it comes to goal aggregate.

“They are currently level on goal aggregate and all they need is to score many more goals to no reply from the visitors and that will ensure their smooth passage to the semis.”

The former engine of the Sundowns midfield who also scored crucial goals for his side during his long playing career, said he was confident the ‘Yellow Machine’ would march on to finally attain the long awaited second star.