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Cape Town - Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy is baffled by the fact that Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana has been consistently overlooked for the PSL Footballer of the Season award.
McCarthy said that he “doesn't think there's a goal that's going to beat” Kekana's wonder strike in the 1-1 draw with Sundowns.
Kekana gave Sundowns an eighth-minute lead when he received the ball 35 yards from goal and skipped past his marker before unleashing a scorching long-range drive that went in off either upright before nestling in the back of the net.
City would ultimately claim a share of the spoils courtesy of Edmilson Dove's 25th-minute equaliser in a hard-fought encounter at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday evening.
And after the game, McCarthy was effusive in his praise for Kekana, saying it is a travesty of justice that the Bafana Bafana midfielder has been consistently overlooked for the PSL Footballer of the Season gong after regularly churning out displays of the highest quality for the Brazilians over the past four years.
“The goal of the season from one of the best players in the last 10 years in the country, Hlompho Kekana,” said McCarthy.
“The kid has not been recognised enough. For years unbelievable, season back-to-back. He put in [the work] and how he has not been Player of the Season is beyond me.
"I have to give credit and a lot of respect to him.
"Year in and year out, he produces. And for me, that was the goal of the season already.
“I don't think there's a goal that's going to beat that goal. That was a goal worthy to win any game. But unfortunately for him, we managed to come back and get the equaliser."
Kekana has been nominated for the PSL's top award three times in four seasons (2015/16, 2016/17 and 2018/19), but has lost out to Khama Billiat, Percy Tau and most recently Thembinkosi Lorch, although he did take home the midfielder of the season award for the last campaign.
