Kekana in the mould of Matthaus – Manzini lauds Mamelodi Sundowns captain

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Michael Manzini has lauded Hlompho Kekana as a dynamic captain after the midfielder celebrated his 35th birthday on Saturday.

Kekana has develop into of probably the most adorned captains within the historical past of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) since he was handed the membership captaincy in 2016, changing Ramahlwe Mphahlele.

The Bafana Bafana worldwide has led the Brazilians to 5 main trophies together with the 2016 Caf Champions League and 2017 Caf Tremendous Cup.

Manzini, who captained Sundowns to 2 PSL titles in 2006 and 2007, feels that Kekana is within the mould of legendary German footballer Lothar Matthaus.

“A real human being – a strong-willed individual,” Manzini instructed the membership’s official website when requested about Kekana.

“A really trustworthy and accommodating individual, all the time prepared to hear and positively contribute to conversations.”

Manzini began taking part in for Sundowns in 1995 and solely retired from skilled soccer in 2009 and he grew to become one of many coaches on the membership’s academy.

The retired central defender, who made nicely over 250 appearances for Sundowns, defined that Kekana all the time shows unimaginable starvation and need within the subject of play.

“Hlompho Kekana has all the time displayed numerous ardour, each on and off the sector,” Manzini added.

“Skipper, I’ve all the time identified you this dynamic captain, extra within the mould of Lothar Matthaus. With an unimaginable starvation and need on the pitch.”

Kekana can be one of the profitable gamers within the historical past of the PSL having received 11 main trophies with SuperSport United and Sundowns.

The previous Black Leopards participant, who’s is broadly thought to be among the finest long-range shooters on the African continent, helped SuperSport clinch two back-to-back league titles in 2009 and 2010.

The person nicknamed KK has since added 4 extra league winners’ medals to his assortment at Sundowns, having joined the membership in 2011 from Bloemfontein Celtic.

This implies KK has received probably the most PSL titles, a document which he shares together with his Sundowns teammates Anthony Laffor and Denis Onyango, and SuperSport legend Daine Klate.

Kekana has additionally lifted two Telkom Knockout Cups, a Nedbank Cup, Caf Champions League and Caf Tremendous Cup with Masandawana.

Article continues under