CAF Champions League: Kekana reveals the secrets to advancing from the group stages

Hlompho Kekana /

Starting tomorrow, Friday, November 21, the group stage of Africa’s most prestigious club competition kicks off.

In this context, Hlompho Kekana, former captain of the Mamelodi Sundowns, shared his advice and insights on what it takes to progress beyond the group stage and chase the CAF Champions League title.

Thanks for all the love and support 🎱⚽😍 pic.twitter.com/QuUCOKdCrg

— Hlompho Kekana (@Hlompho_Kekana) February 20, 2020

Kekana reveals the secrets to advancing from the CAF Champions League group stage

Kekana stated: “”I must say, in a group stage, there’s no formula. How you come out of the group stage is totally up to you. It comes back to the preparation, it comes back to how you see the group. ”

He added: “Some matches in the Champions League, you cannot win them, you know, as you would wish, but you must make sure that how you prepare is something that you know, it will work on your favour. And there’s points that are there, and I believe in the Champions League, if you want to have a good Champions League, make sure that your home matches you win them.”

And he concluded: “I just know that the CAF Champions League is different to any competition in the continent. You don’t play the CAF Champions League with talent, you don’t play Champions League with form. If you remember, Kaizer Chiefs that went to a Champions League final. And you’ll realise that this is the Champions League, you don’t play it with form. It’s how you want it, it’s how you want to be resilient in some moments”

During his career with the Sundowns, Kekana played 345 matches, scored 39 goals, and provided 22 assists. He won several major titles with the club, including the CAF Champions League in 2016, the CAF Super Cup in 2017, as well as eight South African league championships.

Hlompho Kekana is the most Successful @Masandawana captain He didn’t just wear armband;he EMBODIED Sundowns spirit.Under his leadership,we conquered South Africa & Africa.
🏆6xPSL Titles
🏆CAFCL
🏆CAFSC
🏆NedbankCup
🏆TKO
This wasn’t just a trophy haul;it’s era of absolute glory. pic.twitter.com/dClbOaLslR

— 𝒴𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑜ℳ𝒶𝓃𝕏💛👆 (@YELL0MAN) October 23, 2025