Revealed: Sundowns paid R4 million for 16-year-old development player

Few people remember Mamelodi Sundowns’ Gomolemo Kekana wearing the colours of TS Galaxy as a young teenage star.

The 20-year-old central midfielder left the Mpumalanga club when he was just 16 after the Under-18 Engen Knockout tournament in 2023.

GOMOLEMO KEKANA TO MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

Speaking to Andile Ncube on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified show, TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi revealed that Kekana moved to Ka Bo Yellow for R4 million.

“People don’t know he is from TS Galaxy,” Sukazi said. “We played him at DDC [DStv Diski Challenge] and he was bought by Sundowns for millions. The record price for a 16-year-old transfer fee. It was R4 million.”

Kekana later became Sundowns reserve team captain. He was soon integrated into the first team before making his debut against Magesi FC on 20 August 2025.

One of his finest displays came against Red Bull Leipzig in May when he dazzled and stole the show despite coming on midway through the second half.

FROZEN OUT OF THE FIRST TEAM

Fast forward to the new season and Kekana has been nowhere to be seen. The Zebediela-born, Alexandra-raised star has been frozen out of both the Sundowns’ first team and the DDC reserve team. Reports say he declined the club’s offer of a new contract.

He is likely to run down the remainder of his deal before moving to a new club as a free agent.

SUNDOWNS’ CURRENT LIST OF CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS:

Meanwhile, the club have reportedly signed two midfielders. The Ecuadorian Jhegson Mendez (29) arrives in January, while Lazola Maku (19) is expected to be announced in the coming days.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE SITUATION BETWEEN KEKANA AND SUNDOWNS?

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