Bafana Bafana tenacious midfielder, Hlompho Kekana’s wonder-goal in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier for Gabon 2017 against Cameroon, has been nominated for FIFA Puskas award.
Bafana Bafana tenacious midfielder, Hlompho Kekana’s wonder-goal in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier for Gabon 2017 against Cameroon, has been nominated for FIFA Puskas award.
The midfielder scored from inside his own half as South Africa played to a thrilling 2-2 draw against Cameroon in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers earlier this year.
“Kekana’s stunning goal against Cameroon has been nominated for this year’s Fifa Puskas Award,” FIFA confirmed on Monday.
The tough-tackling midfielder beat Cameroon goalkeeper Guy N’dy Assembé from his own half after dispossessing Tony Tchani in March this year.
He has been nominated alongside Barcelona duo of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.
The goal saw the Zebediela-born player join the likes of David Beckham and Xabi Alonso, who scored world class goals from their own half in the past.
The nomination is a little of icing on the cake for Kekana, who recently helped the Brazilians lift their maiden Caf Champions League trophy.
Kekana becomes only the second South African player to be nominated for the award after Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Tshabalala’s screamer in the opening match of the 2010 Fifa World Cup against Mexico also made into the list of the top 10 nominees worldwide, but he didn’t win it after failing to acquire enough votes.
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