Richard Henyekane, who died in a tragic car accident age 31, will always have us wondering what, other than his move to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2010, stalled his once promising career.
The striker, who could be played as a winger or even an attacking midfielder, had all the traits of a genuine goal-poacher, but only managed nine Bafana Bafana appearances and never scored.
He made his international debut six years ago against Serbia, with South Africa suffering a 3-1 defeat.
Born in Galeshewe, Kimberley, Henyekane had to travel quite far from home to make his name in the Premier Soccer League when he joined Lamontville Golden Arrows as a 20-year-old.
He created long-lasting memories, including a glorious hat-trick in the Telkom Knockout tournament once, as well as a goodbye present in the form of the club's only piece of silverware.
Henyekane played at the self-same Arrows alongside his younger bother, Joseph, a defender who died four months ago after a short illness, in a memorable 6-0 thumping of Ajax Cape Town to win the 2009 MTN8 title at Orlando Stadium.
Predictably, Henyekane's name was on the score sheet as he went on to claim the PSL Golden Boot seven months later. His move to Chloorkop soon after definitely brought fortune but nothing more as evidenced by his loan stint with Free State Stars last season made permanent at the start of the current campaign. Henyekane had joined Sundowns, understandably, for a new challenge following six fruitful years at Arrows.
The big-money shift would enhance his Bafana chances, or so he, along with everyone else, thought, especially after then national team coach Joel Santana had been ignoring him when he was probably at his peak.
What Henyekane didn't envisage was the luxury of players who had also committed to working under new coach Hristo Stoichkov at the same time at Sundowns.
He seemed to have finally found a home in Bethlehem with Ea Lla Koto and was hailed as the Messiah because of his goal-scoring exploits after helping the club avoid relegation last season.
Now, caught in the same scenario, Stars have it all to do without "The Kimberley Express", a man who rattled the net seven times in 16 crucial league matches to help them retain their PSL status not long ago. Henyekane will be buried in Kimberley tomorrow.
newsdesk@sowetan.co.za
Soccer star of rich potential
Richard Henyekane, who died in a tragic car accident age 31, will always have us wondering what, other than his move to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2010, stalled his once promising career.
The striker, who could be played as a winger or even an attacking midfielder, had all the traits of a genuine goal-poacher, but only managed nine Bafana Bafana appearances and never scored.
He made his international debut six years ago against Serbia, with South Africa suffering a 3-1 defeat.
Born in Galeshewe, Kimberley, Henyekane had to travel quite far from home to make his name in the Premier Soccer League when he joined Lamontville Golden Arrows as a 20-year-old.
He created long-lasting memories, including a glorious hat-trick in the Telkom Knockout tournament once, as well as a goodbye present in the form of the club's only piece of silverware.
Henyekane played at the self-same Arrows alongside his younger bother, Joseph, a defender who died four months ago after a short illness, in a memorable 6-0 thumping of Ajax Cape Town to win the 2009 MTN8 title at Orlando Stadium.
Predictably, Henyekane's name was on the score sheet as he went on to claim the PSL Golden Boot seven months later. His move to Chloorkop soon after definitely brought fortune but nothing more as evidenced by his loan stint with Free State Stars last season made permanent at the start of the current campaign. Henyekane had joined Sundowns, understandably, for a new challenge following six fruitful years at Arrows.
The big-money shift would enhance his Bafana chances, or so he, along with everyone else, thought, especially after then national team coach Joel Santana had been ignoring him when he was probably at his peak.
What Henyekane didn't envisage was the luxury of players who had also committed to working under new coach Hristo Stoichkov at the same time at Sundowns.
He seemed to have finally found a home in Bethlehem with Ea Lla Koto and was hailed as the Messiah because of his goal-scoring exploits after helping the club avoid relegation last season.
Now, caught in the same scenario, Stars have it all to do without "The Kimberley Express", a man who rattled the net seven times in 16 crucial league matches to help them retain their PSL status not long ago. Henyekane will be buried in Kimberley tomorrow.
newsdesk@sowetan.co.za
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