View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Kekana: I Feel For Today's Footballers

Kekana: I Feel For Today's Footballers

Hlompho Kekana during the Betway Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 17 September 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain, Hlompho Kekana spoke about how difficult it is to make it as a professional footballer. 

Check it out!

Read: 'Shaka Ilembe' Star Joins TS Galaxy

The story

The most decorated captain in PSL history Hlompho Kekana expressed some empathy for today's professional footballers, mentioning the sacrifices he had to make as an athlete.

In his near two-decade long professional career, the legendary defensive midfielder amassed 11 major honours, including eight league titles, seeing him win five as captain of Bafana Ba Style.

"When I look at the footballers today, I get so... sad for them because I know how it feels to be a professional footballer. It's not easy. You have to dedicate that, there's so many things that you have to sacrifice," noted Kekana in his chat with Morena Mothupi on Betway Smash Sports' "Football Faras" podcast.

"You are sacrificing for something you love, it doesn't feel like a sacrifice but when you sit around now, in my new world, I call it a new world, I tend to sit around and think, 'There's so many things I don't know about life,'" added "KK" pointing out how different life has been for him since hanging up his boots in 2022. 

[embed]

Kekana spent a decade as Downs' midfield pillar of strength, leading Masandawana as captain during their historic CAF Champions League victory in 2016, followed by their CAF Super League triumph the next year.

Kekana also scored some of the most memorable screamers for both club and country, seeing him earn his first FIFA Puskas Award nomination for a unreal strike from his own half against Cameroon in the 2016 AFCON qualifiers.  

His second Puskas nomination came in 2019, after winning the Absa Premiership Goal of the Season for his spectacular strike against Cape Town City.

Read: TBT | Vilakazi's Kind Gesture To A Young Fan In Türkiye

Re-live Kekana's stunner against Cameroon and some of his best goals for Sundowns below:

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

One Week In: All Confirmed PSL Signings

Jul 08, 2025 08:32 AM in Siyagobhoza

Pirates Jet Off To Spain – But Who’s Missing The Flight?

Jul 08, 2025 02:47 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Sundowns Confirm Five Exits

Jul 07, 2025 07:27 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Ndlovu, Monyane & Co! How Chiefs Could Line Up

Jul 06, 2025 02:58 PM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Pirates Contract Breakthrough In Saleng Talks

Jul 08, 2025 01:58 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Siwelele Trio Left In The Dark

Jul 10, 2025 10:15 AM in Siyagobhoza

Riveiro To ‘Punish’ Ahly Players

Jul 10, 2025 01:35 PM in African Football

Seema Close To Topflight Return?

Jul 10, 2025 11:09 AM in Siyagobhoza

Bolton Manager Reveals Pirates Game Plan

Jul 10, 2025 12:37 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Fans Slam Pirates' Decision On Saleng

Jul 10, 2025 02:16 PM in Fan Park