Hlompho Kekana’s odd World Cup prediction

Retired Bafana Bafana star Hlompho Kekana has made an odd prediction for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Disappointed that Bafana Bafana won’t be competing in Qatar, Kekana is optimistic about Belgium’s chances. He backs them to go all the way and win their first-ever global showpiece.

Belgium deemed the ‘dark horses,’ are in Group F alongside Canada, Croatian and African giants Morocco.

Kekana believes the Western European nation will breeze through to the knockout stage and lift the prestigious trophy.

KEKANA BACKS BELGIUM

The closest Belgium came to clinching gold at the World Cup was in 2018 in Russia. However, they suffered a 1-0 defeat in the semifinal against the eventual champions, France.

Belgium sealed a third-place finish, their best-ever finish at a World Cup. They beat England 2-0 in the third/fourth place finish to take home the bronze model.

Kekana argues that Qatar might just be Belgium’s golden generation’s last shot at World Cup glory.

“I think Belgium will win it. They have been promising ever since I started following them,” said Kekana on the sidelines of the Carling Black Label World Cup event in Sandton.

“They have got players all over the world and have a structure that allows them to win matches, so of course, in the past seven years, we thought they were going to win a major tournament, and they haven’t delivered.”

Kekana has no doubt that big-name players such as Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Eden Hazard will take Belgium deep at the World Cup by playing a starring roles.

“I believe this is the time where they should try with the current generation, they have to win the trophy, and this is a trophy that they deserve to win,” he said.

RELATED STORY: Lukaku, De Bruyne and Hazard named in Belgium World Cup squad