Gomolemo Grant Kekana, often known as Grant or Gino Kekana, is a South African professional footballer born on 31 October 1992 in Polokwane, Limpopo.
He plays primarily as a centre-back or defender for Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League and has represented the South Africa national team, Bafana Bafana.
Raised largely by his mother, Pinky Kekana, a prominent politician who has served as Deputy Minister in the Presidency and previously held other government roles, Kekana grew up with strong maternal support that encouraged both his education and sporting ambitions.
His mother, once a teacher, insisted he complete school before fully pursuing football and even supported his early interest in cricket, later noting his potential in that sport as well.
Kekana has spoken of his mother as his rock and first supporter, the one who bought him his first pair of soccer boots.
Siblings
Grant has a sister, Ipeleng, with whom he shares a close and supportive bond.
He has publicly described their relationship as a blessing and noted that he acts as both a big brother and a father figure in her life.
The distance between them – she lives in the Western Cape while he is based in Gauteng – makes regular in-person contact challenging, yet they stay in touch and make time for each other.
Career
Kekana’s professional journey began in the youth ranks at the University of Pretoria.
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He made his senior breakthrough with SuperSport United around 2010–2013 before returning to University of Pretoria from 2013 to 2015, where he gained more regular playing time.
He rejoined SuperSport United in 2015 and remained there until 2021, establishing himself as a reliable defender.
In July 2021, he transferred to Mamelodi Sundowns, one of South Africa’s most successful clubs, where he has become a regular starter and key part of the defence.
At international level, he debuted for Bafana Bafana in 2021 or 2022 and has earned around 16 caps.
He featured prominently in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (held in early 2024), helping South Africa reach the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years and secure a bronze medal.
Kekana has also participated in continental club competitions with Sundowns, including the CAF Champions League and the African Football League.
Accolades
With Mamelodi Sundowns, Kekana has contributed to multiple Premier Soccer League titles, including consecutive championships in the early 2020s, along with Nedbank Cup and MTN 8 successes.
The club also won the inaugural African Football League in 2023, and he has been part of CAF Champions League campaigns that reached the later stages, including a reported title win in a subsequent season.
Individually, he was named PSL Defender of the Season for 2023/24 and has received nominations in other campaigns.
For South Africa, he earned a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Across his career, he has accumulated hundreds of appearances, demonstrating consistency and defensive solidity that have made him a respected figure in South African football.
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