Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana has officially announced his retirement from football, but at the same time has seemingly found a new home.
But that home will not be a football club, but rather a television studio, as he has taken up a role of television pundit with the SABC.
Kekana is expected to be a regular face this season when the SABC broadcasts DStv Premiership fixtures.
The 36-year-old Zebediela-born midfielder needs little introduction. After an early career at Black Leopards and on loan at City Pillars, Kekana made his mark after becoming a then-record signing at SuperSport United, where he won the first of his league titles.
After two seasons at SuperSport, he spent a season at Bloemfontein Celtic, where he was Siwelele’s player of the year, before joining Sundowns where he made history during his decade at the club. Kekana went on to captain Masandawana, leading the club to numerous trophy successes, including six league titles and perhaps most famously winning the CAF Champions League in 2016 under coach Pitso Mosimane.
.@Hlompho_Kekana's career record:
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) August 2, 2022
𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧
🏆🏆 PSL
𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 PSL
🏆🏆 Telkom Knockout
🏆🏆 Nedbank Cup
🏆 CAF Champions League
🏆 CAF Super Cup
Farewell legend. 👏 pic.twitter.com/yt8bvOP2Xq
However, during his last year at the club, Kekana found himself on the fringes and was excluded from any first-team match squad last season before his departure in November last year.
Among his numerous honours, Kekana lifted 8 Premiership League titles overall and is also the only South African to be nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award on two occasions (in 2016 and 2020).
Since leaving Chloorkop Kekana was linked with a number of DStv Premiership clubs, but will now be focussing on being a pundit, as he officially hangs up his boots, which he won’t be wearing in the TV studios.
Kekana officially announced his retirement, penning the following farewell letter:
Kekana has already been busy with the national broadcaster, having covered a number of CAF Champions League games and international matches.
