Yusuf Maart: Puskas Award Nominee Hlompho Kekana Praises Kaizer Chiefs Star for Orlando Pirates Goal

• A few weeks ago Yusuf Maart grabbed the football world's headlines after his sensational goal in the Soweto Derby
• The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder scored from beyond the halfway line after catching Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane off his line
• This saw a former FIFA Puskas Award nominee Hlompho Kekana praising him for the pure nerve shown by Maart

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Yusuf Maart has an admirer of legendary status.

Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana Maart for the goal he scored against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby from behind the half-way line at Soccer City. The odds are high that the goal could be nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award, with the world football governing body encouraging voters to consider it for the gong.

Kekana, who was nominated for the award in 2016 after scoring a similar goal for South Africa against Cameroon, said to The Citizen:

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“We can say that, but if I can count the ‘PlayStation’ goals I have scored… If we start comparing, it would be unfair. It would be like me trying to take the shine off the young man who I believe applied himself well in a very big space, in such a big match.

“He had the guts to do that. Remember that not every player can do that. You and I can go in that field without pressure and we might not even hit the crossbar. “That is how much pressure that situation has. You have to have real guts to do that. So, I salute him for that.

“There are not many players with such guts. I cannot talk about myself because I retired a long time ago. (But) My goals… you all know them, I cannot talk about them.

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“It takes guts and a strong personality to score such goals. Just imagine what everyone would say if you tried to score from the centre line and you missed – they would kill you. But you have to understand your technique, your talent… I just mentioned that not many players can score those goals.”

2022 FIFA World Cup: Hlompho Kekana, Bongani Zungu, YoungstaCPT and Brown Mbombo have their say

Feel it: it is here.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is upon us and the excitement is approaching its peak. Hosts Qatar will take on Ecuador in the opening match of the first-ever Middle Eastern world cup on Sunday evening.

All those anticipating the event have given their thoughts on how the event will pan out, as reported by Sports Brief.

Speaking at a Carling Black Label event connect to the global showpiece, Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana said:

"There are a lot of exciting fixtures that are coming. My money is on Belgium. They need to win... or else I will go back to Zebediela!"