Hlompho Kekana and Mamelodi Sundowns part ways

Mamelodi Sundowns on Thursday announced that they have reached an ‘amicable’ agreement with long serving and most successful captain Hlompho Kekana to part ways.

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Few months ago Phakaaathi reported that the 36-year-old Kekana been offered two options by the Chloorkop-based side – to retire and take up a behind-the-scene job or be loaned out – but Kekana still wanted to continue playing.

Kekana and Sundowns have now decided to part ways in order to allow the veteran midfielder to go and ply his trade somewhere else.

“Mamelodi Sundowns and Hlompho Kekana have reached an amicable agreement to part ways,” read a statement issued by Sundowns on Thursday. 

“KK, as he is affectionately known, had a contract that was going to conclude at the end of the current (2021/22) season.

“The Zebediela-born Midfielder had a distinguished career over 10 years with Mamelodi Sundowns playing over 350 matches. At the beginning of the season, the player was honoured by the club with a long-service award for his dedication and devotion to the club.

“The club legend is amongst the most decorated footballers in South African football history. Among his numerous honours at Sundowns, Kekana lifted 6 Premiership League titles, the 2016 CAF Champions League and the 2017 CAF Super League. Before joining Sundowns, Hlompho had 2 league titles to his name and this makes him one of the most decorated players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

“He is also the only South African to be nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award on two occasions (in 2016 and 2020),” added the club statement.

Addressing the players and technical team on Kekana’s departure, Sundowns chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe said: “In almost all of his interviews, Hlompho always referred to himself as ‘a boy from the village’. He is proud of where he has come from and his journey as a boy from Zebediela to a man leading Mamelodi Sundowns to the FIFA Club World Cup in Osaka Japan, is a story that I pray all future leaders in South Africa draw inspiration from.”

Meanwhile, Kekana has been offered an opportunity to return to Sundowns in a different capacity when he decides to retire from active football.