Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana insists he was never going to leave Chloorkop despite reports that he was close to joining SuperSport United before renewing his contract.

The Downs captain signed an unprecedented four-year contract with the club which would keep him under contract until the age of 39.

South African clubs are notorious for handing older players short-term deals but with Downs showing their loyalty to their skipper, Kekana admitted that he was never going to leave the club despite quotes from Matsatsantsa CEO Stan Matthews saying the player’s agent offered Kekana to his club on a free transfer before he committed to Sundowns.

‘Sundowns was the only team interested in my services,’ Kekana told KickOff.com.

‘Sundowns has done so much for me and there was no thought of playing for another team. I have achieved a lot with Sundowns and there is no other team that serves the meaning of success to me except Sundowns.

‘I have enjoyed success with this team. I am surrounded by good people in the team. The technical team, my teammates, and even the kit managers. My connection with Sundowns is even deeper.

‘I have enjoyed my stay at the club. Every day I am always looking forward to training. My connection with the club is deeper and more than football.’