Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has admitted that they are in a catch-22 situation with club captain Hlompho Kekana, who has been linked with a move away from the club.
Reliable reports had earlier claimed that Kekana was offered to Swallows FC before the start of the new season, but a decision is yet to be made by the 36-year-old on the matter.
Kekana, who has already spent a decade at Sundowns, played just 15 matches in all competitions for the club last season. That tally is a drastic drop from his usual number per season.
Mngqithi said it will be important to listen to what the player wants and he will be treated with respect.
“On Hlompho, he is still with us. We love him, he is our legend, our captain. He had a very good pre-season training. He has good leadership and all is looking positive. But the only part that is always going to be an issue is the number of games he got last season compared to the number of games he is likely to get this season and that is a very serious catch-22 situation because we like him and we are happy with him, but what if he does not want to play fewer games? Because the truth of the matter is it’s not about us only, it’s also about him,” Mngqithi told media ahead of this weekend’s MTN8 clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
“If he wants to stay and help us in the changeroom… he is a very important player. But the truth of the matter is at this stage as a club we are happy with him and we are also wary of his wishes as well. We will have to listen to him. Whatever comes from him, we will take it very seriously. But he has to be treated with a lot of respect because he has served the club. He is probably one captain who has lifted more trophies than any other captain of the club.”