Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana has explained why he abruptly decided to retire when many were still expecting him to resurface at a new club after leaving the Tshwane giants.
Kekana turned his back on Chloorkop in 2021 after he rejected the non-playing role he was offered by Sundowns, expressing his intentions to continue playing.
Last season, Bra Hlompho, as he is affectionately known, was heavily linked with Baroka who were reportedly keen to bring him back to his home province, Limpopo.
Reports also suggested that AmaZulu and Cape Town City were interested in the Zebediela-born midfielder’s services.
However, without joining any club after he ended things with Downs, Kekana at the age of 37, announced his retirement from football in August this year.
He says he decided to walk away from the game because he had been off-the-field for too long.
Kekana believes that injuries would trouble him after he had sat out for quite a while and he didn’t want to end up playing football without enjoying it.
KEKANA EXPLAINS ‘SUDDEN’ RETIREMENT DECISION
“I played the game differently with a lot of emotions, energy, intensity and aggression and I didn’t want to take a break from that and restart again,” Kekana told FARPost.
“That would be a problem for me because I was never that player who experienced injuries in my life.
“I was very fortunate to play the whole 19 years without having serious injuries.
“Coming back to the game after I hadn’t played for that long, I thought I would be calling the injuries because the muscles [had gotten] used to relaxing, I didn’t want to play the game in pain.
“If I continued, I would have wanted to enjoy and create those beautiful memories.”
KEKANA’S HONOURS
Kekana, who is Downs’ most decorated captain, played over 400 games in the Premier Soccer League.
He hoisted CAF Champions League title, CAF Super Cup, eight DStv Premiership titles, two Telkom Knockouts and two Nedbank Cups.
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