Sundowns skipper Hlompho Kekana sad to lose Khama Billiat to Kaizer Chiefs

Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Hlompho Kekana says it pains him to see striker Khama Billiat leaving to join rivals Kaizer Chiefs , but admits it’s part of football.

The Bafana Bafana midfielder says he hopes the Masandawana family will find it in their hearts to accept the reality and keep supporting the Zimbabwean.

Billiat left the Tshwane side on Friday as he was unveiled by the Soweto giants.

Kekana formed a special bond with Billiat at Sundowns as the skipper used to launch long balls upfront in search of the tricky forward, but the Zebediela-born player said they will move on.

Billiat follows the likes of Katlego Mphela, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Leonardo Castro as players who have jumped the Jukskei river to join Amakhosi in recent times.

Speaking exclusively to Goal on Sunday, Kekana said the players will always move for greener pastures and said they will now focus on the pre-season.

“Yeah, look I think more than anything I am disappointed to lose him as a player. What we just have to do is to support him because we don’t know the details why he left the club,” he told Goal .

“There are personal reasons involved and we have to accept it, but I am disappointed I must tell you and we wish him well and luck,” he said.

“Yeah sure, it’s part of football and players will always move, we have also lost many important players to the team and I recall when I moved from SuperSport United to Bloemfontein Celtic people were unhappy but these things are part of football and chances will always present themselves for players to move,” he continued.

He also urged the KaboYellow nation to accept Billiat’s departure, saying they must understand football is business and players must put food on the table for their respective families.

“Well, it’s difficult to understand for the fans, but it’s all about business in the end and they loved Khama and he must support his family and they must try to understand,” urged the captain.

“For me and the team, we will just have to focus on our pre-season to do well next season because we have also lost players in the past - they (supporters) must just support him and accept it,” he said. 

Speaking about the ongoing Fifa World Cup tournament in Russia, the man also known as ‘KK’ said it is difficult to predict who will win it.

“Coming to the World Cup, it’s a difficult one to predict but when you check in group stages, it’s challenging to play and win games," reacted Kekana.

“But many teams are gaining momentum, but I am impressed by Belgium - they play well and really striving to improve as a team – I foresee them doing well and going far in the tournament," said the Bafana international.

“Coming to the African teams, Senegal started well and I hope they will keep doing well and possibly go all the way to the quarter-finals and go to win it – they are doing it for Africa in the end,” concluded the ex-Celtic player.