Kekana set for remarkable milestone

Such has been the hectic schedule for Mamelodi Sundowns this season that their ‘Captain Fantastic’ Hlompho Kekana could feature in his 50th game of the campaign for the Brazilians this week.

Kekana, 33, has been a model of consistency as Sundowns battle for both Absa Premiership and CAF Champions League honours in the closing weeks of the season, and his ability to stay fit through the gruelling campaign is testament to the work he has put in off the pitch.

Kekana has played 48 times for Sundowns in all competitions since the official start of the season in July 2018, a number that likely would have been higher were it not for early exits in all three domestic cup competitions.

He could line-up up against Black Leopards in a crucial Absa Premiership game tonight in Thohoyandou, and reach his half-century of appearances against Wydad Casablanca in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal on Saturday.

Incredibly, 47 of his 48 appearances this season have been starts – 26 in the Absa Premiership, four in the domestic knockout competitions and 18 in the Champions League.

In fact, if you include his two national team caps for Bafana Bafana in crucial African up of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria and Libya, he has already reached the 50-game mark for club and country.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is not one to tinker too much with his team, but his reliance on Kekana in this campaign is a sign of the midfielders crucial value to the team.

Mosimane has sung the praises of his attacking stars this campaign, but always references back to how they would not be able to shine were it not for the hard yards done by Kekana behind them.

As Sundowns chase domestic and continental glory this week, Kekana will be needed again to provide that surety.