Black Leopards manager Tshifiwa Thidiela says the GladAfrica Championship side “will always be home” to Hlompho Kekana. ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Hlompho Kekana ‘always welcome’ back at Black Leopards
Black Leopards manager Tshifiwa Thidiela says the GladAfrica Championship side “will always be home” to Hlompho Kekana.
Black Leopards manager Tshifiwa Thidiela says the GladAfrica Championship side “will always be home” to Hlompho Kekana. ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Black Leopards manager Tshifiwa Thidiela says the GladAfrica Championship side “will always be home” to Hlompho Kekana.
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The 36-year-old midfielder was released by Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the current season after 10 years of service at the Cloorkop-based side during which he played a staggering 339 matches.
Hlompho Kekana is currently a free agent with his future uncertain after falling out of favour at the Brazilians having played just 12 matches last season.
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He started his career with Black Leopards where he played 37 matches in all competitions before enjoying spells with SuperSport United (44 matches) and Bloemfontein Celtic (33 matches).
Thidiela, who can remember when Kekana joined Black Leopards as a youngster, told Kickoff: “I think there was some school tournament sponsored by MTN.
“All I remember mainly is he was too young to sign a contract. His mother had to come and sign his first professional contract.
“His capability attracted us. You could see the talent even though he didn’t play immediately, we could still see his capability, and he was loaned to the then Pietersburg Pillars. I think he went there for a season then he came back.”
Thidiela added: “It’s his decision what he wants to do with his career at this stage. But the only thing is Leopards will always be home to him. You can see wherever he goes out he never forgets Leopards.”
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Black Leopards were relegated at the end of the 2020/21 DStv Premiership season.
They currently find themselves in 11th place in the National First Division (NFD) or GladAfrica Championship after two draws to start their season in the second tier of SA football.
