Revealed: Sundowns splashed R4m on DDC star who has played three games since 2023

TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns shelled out R4 million for a 16-year-old player who has struggled to break into the first team.

In 2023, Galaxy sold a then 16-year-old Gomolemo Kekana to Sundowns when he was making waves in their DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team and it was hoped that the midfielder would realise his full potential at Chlorkoop.

Sukazi says the player did not leave on the cheap despite being so young as Sundowns had to pay what remains a record for a 16-year-old before landing him.

Sukazi reveals Kekana’s record fee

“People don’t know he is from TS Galaxy,” Sukazi told Andile Ncube on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified.

“We played him at DDC and he was bought by Sundowns for millions. The record price for a 16-year-old transfer fee. It was R4 million.”

Kekana joined Sundowns and was integrated into their DDC team, later captaining the side, and it was hoped that he would soon blossom into a top player for the senior side.

He would, however, wait until August 20, 2025 for his senior team debut, playing against Magesi FC, but he has since made only three appearances for the first team as per Transfermarkt.

Few first-team opportunities at Sundowns  

His finest game in a Sundowns shirt came in May this year when he came on in the second half and put in an impressive display as the Brazilians stunned Bundesliga club RB Leipzig 3-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

This season, Kekana has played one game for Miguel Cardoso’s side, starting their 3-2 win over his ex-club Galaxy in August and was on the bench for their 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in September.

However, the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup star for South Africa looks to be on his way out of Sundowns as he is into the final months of his contract and there is no indication that the club will offer him a new one.

If no contract talks take place soon, he will be free to sign a pre-contract with any other club in January 2027.