Tendai Ndoro (c) of Orlando Pirates challenged by Tebogo Langerman, (l) Teko Modise and Hlompho Kekana of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2016 Nedbank Cup match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on April 23, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Hlompho Kekana: Why I rejected Orlando Pirates for Mamelodi Sundowns
Hlompho Kekana ended up having a very successful career at Mamelodi Sundowns, and often terrorized Orlando Pirates in the process. But do you know he could’ve been a Buccaneer instead?
Tendai Ndoro (c) of Orlando Pirates challenged by Tebogo Langerman, (l) Teko Modise and Hlompho Kekana of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2016 Nedbank Cup match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on April 23, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Hlompho Kekana enjoyed an illustrious career at Mamelodi Sundowns, but could’ve easily ended up at Orlando Pirates.
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Kekana was part and parcel of a very successful Sundowns era, winning trophies while also terrorising Pirates in the process.
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But in an alternate universe, when leaving Bloemfontein Celtic in 2011, Kekana could’ve ended up at Pirates instead. Instead, he chose Sundowns and he has since revealed why he took that route.
Kekana reveals why he rejected Pirates for Sundowns
“I had my reasons [to reject Pirates]. I felt that at the time, the responsibility of playing for Pirates was huge. Everyone was talking about this team. Then you go there and you don’t know the history properly then I thought man I can’t carry this weight, [I thought] if there Is a team that I don’t want to see myself wearing their jersey, it’s this one.”Kekana said on Sundowns’ Pitchside Podcast.
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Pirates had just won the first of their trebles in the 2010/11 season before clinching a second the next season. But it wouldn’t be long before Kekana started reaping the rewards of chasing the move to Sundowns instead. The midfielder with a powerful shot, began being a menace to the Buccaneers, due to that ability. He scored at least two memorable long range strikes beating the likes of the late Senzo Meyiwa and Wayne Sandilands.
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In the end, he would play over 230 times for Sundowns, captaining them for many successful years under Pitso Mosimane. He would end up winning six of his eight league titles at the Brazilians, scoring 28 goals from the midfield. Ultimately, he was not able to finish his career at the club, being marginalised during his last season.
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After failing to secure another contract after leaving Sundowns, he ended up returning as a club ambassador. It would have been rather interesting to see how Kekana’s career would’ve gone had he opted for Pirates. But with all the local and continental titles he won with the Brazilians, he surely isn’t complaining nor having regrets.
