Bafana Bafana international, and Mamelodi Sundowns skipper, Hlompho Kekana is yet to reach his impressive form of last season that made fans feel like he deserved at least one award at the PSL awards ceremony.

After the departure of former Downs captain, Ramahlwe Mphahlele to Kaizer Chiefs, Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane chose to reward the midfield maestro with the team captain’s armband during preseason.

Also the player’s contract is in its last year, and the player is still waiting to hear from the team regarding his future, although both parties are happy and willing to work together with each other.

Sundowns are under too much pressure with a heavy load of fixtures, it needs the captain’s mind to be at peace if the team is destined to achieve against all odds.

Kekana is the heart and spine of the Sundowns team and that link, combining the famous combo of CBD and defenders, and it’s still early to blame fatigue, although everyone needs rest.

With Sundowns having the mentality of losing their captains on a free in consecutive years, it could also disturb everyone’s mentality.

Sundowns should rush to conclude deals for key senior players if not everyone, as the likes of Anthony Laffor, Wayne Arendse and Kekana could all leave at the end of the season for free.

Is it fatigue, the pressure of the captain’s armband or contract negotiations that are disturbing Kekana’s form? Or what else could it be to blame?

*This article was written by a Soccer Laduma reader and reflects their opinion, not that of Soccer Laduma.