2016 has been utterly a year for Mamelodi Sundowns\u2019 Hlompho Kekana. After a 2015\/16 domestic pretension delight in May, a South African midfielder was devoted with a bar captaincy in Aug after a depart of former team-mate Ramahlwe Mphahlele. <\/p>\n
Since donning a armband for Sundowns, some-more titles and accolades have followed for a midfield workhorse. Kekana guided Masandawana<\/em> to their initial CAF Champions League prize in Oct before creation a FIFA Puskas Award\u2019s ten-person shortlist only final month, after scoring from his possess half for Bafana Bafana<\/em> opposite Cameroon behind in March. <\/p>\n Kekana\u2019s noted year resolved with a 31-year-old travelling to Japan for a 2016 FIFA Club World Cup, captaining a initial South African side to take partial in a competition. <\/p>\n \u201c2016 has been a good year for us as a organisation and privately I\u2019d contend that it\u2019s a year I\u2019ll never forget,\u201d Kekana told FIFA.com<\/strong>. \u201cWe have been vehement with a achievements this year. Lifting a Champions League was outrageous and afterwards to be personification during a Club World Cup was an even bigger step for us as a team. Competing during that turn is always special, each actor in a universe wants to take partial in a Club World Cup. <\/p>\n \u201cIt inspires me a lot to captain a organisation like this,” he continued. “Mamelodi Sundowns are an desirous organisation and we work tough on and off a field. I\u2019m really absolved to work with this group. we consider we are creation a possess small bit of story and it\u2019s critical to keep working, harsh and looking for some-more and more.\u201d<\/p>\n \nLong-range screamer<\/strong> Kekana\u2019s brilliantly-executed idea saw him nominated for a ten-person FIFA Puskas Award for best idea of a year, alongside a likes of Barcelona span Neymar and Messi. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n \u201cIt was special to get approval from FIFA for a goal. we never suspicion that one day I\u2019d be nominated for a Puskas Award by FIFA, though it happened,\u201d pronounced Kekana, eminent in Africa for his ability to measure fantastic prolonged operation effort. \u201cIt was a special idea and one that is still unimaginable in my eyes. we still can\u2019t trust I\u2019m a one who scored it! 2016 was a good year for me and I\u2019m unapproachable of my work over a years, I\u2019m reaping a rewards now.” <\/p>\n The third South African to ever make a Puskas Award shortlist, Kekana followed in a footsteps of Bafana Bafana<\/em> internationals Katlego Mphela and Siphiwe Tshabalala, who were nominated in 2009 and 2010 respectively. While he missed out when a contenders were whittled down to three, Kekana perceived invariable support for his goal, not only during home, though from football supporters opposite a African continent. It was a gesticulate that left a midfield ubiquitous intensely touched. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was a special impulse where we see a impact as footballers, how we hold people\u2019s lives and how people can get together by sport,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was such a pleasing knowledge and humbling to see such support and we dedicate that idea to all Africans.\u201d <\/p>\n Japan journey \u201cIt was a really special impulse in my career,\u201d pronounced Kekana, on donning a captain\u2019s armband during a Club World Cup. \u201cIt was a impulse that I\u2019ll perpetually cherish, competing with a best teams in a universe in Japan. we schooled a lot during a tournament.\u201d <\/p>\n Article source: http:\/\/www.fifa.com\/clubworldcup\/news\/y=2016\/m=12\/news=kekana-s-unforgettable-2016-2862015.html<\/a>\r\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 2016 has been utterly a year for Mamelodi Sundowns\u2019 Hlompho Kekana. After a 2015\/16 domestic pretension delight in May, a South African midfielder was devoted with a bar captaincy in Aug after a depart of former team-mate Ramahlwe Mphahlele. Since donning a armband for Sundowns, some-more titles and accolades have followed for a midfield workhorse. 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\nKekana done ubiquitous headlines behind in Mar by fasten a likes of David Beckham and Xabi Alonso in carrying a persistence and technique to fire and measure from inside his possess half. The midfielder\u2019s fantastic long-range strike, in a CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier opposite Cameroon, sailed over goalkeeper N\u2019dy Assembe\u2019s conduct into a net though touching a belligerent to a awe of a Yaounde crowd. <\/p>\n
<\/strong>Kekana\u2019s noted 2016 resolved with Mamelodi Sundowns representing Africa during a Club World Cup. While it wasn\u2019t a finish that Pitso Mosimane\u2019s side had in mind, losing their opening diversion to contingent finalists Kashima Antlers before pang another better in a compare for fifth place opposite Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Masandawana <\/em>still done story for South African in holding partial during a contest – with Kekana carrying a honour of heading them. <\/p>\n