Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa) with Olwethu Makhanya during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South Africa Team Announcement and Send Off ahead of their deprarture to the Americas.
Image: BackpagePix
Olwethu Makhanya has gradually and carefully honed his skillset in Major League Soccer (MLS) in recent years, which is why he’s not surprised – but grateful – to have been selected for the Bafana Bafana World Cup-bound team.
Makhanya was included in the 26-member final World Cup squad for Bafana by coach Hugo Broos at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Hatfield, Pretoria, on Wednesday night.
His inclusion in the team, alongside Bradley Cross and Kamogelo Sebelebele, was notable. However, those who have followed the progress of the 22-year-old centre-back felt that his call-up was long overdue and well deserved for the tournament.
Makhanya made his breakthrough in Stellenbosch’s reserve team during the 2022/23 season. However, he impressed coach Steve Barker enough to earn promotion to the first team for the second half of the campaign.
The Durban-born footballer only lasted six months at Stellies before moving to MLS side Philadelphia. In America, Makhanya continued to impress, making Broos’ preliminary squads, but missing out on the final teams.
His fortunes changed ahead of the biggest football tournament on Wednesday night, something that serves as a reward for all the work and sacrifices Makhanya has put in over the years.
“When I left the country to go to the US, I was very young,” Makhanya recalled at the squad’s base, the Southern Sun Hotel, in Sandton on Thursday morning. “I got there, I was away from home for the first time, and I went through some stuff. But it’s been a great journey.
“I started in the reserve team, and then I got my first team opportunity. I grabbed it with both hands. Since then, things have just been coming together for me.”
Makhanya also revealed how he reacted to the news from Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka that he had been drafted into the 32-member preliminary squad for the global showpiece.
“I didn’t get the call directly from coach Hugo Broos, I think it was from Bra V. I was very excited when I got the message. I wasn’t shocked, but it still came as a surprise,” Makhanya revealed.
“There was a time when I thought it would come, and it didn’t. There was a time when it came, and there were challenges. So, when it finally happened, I was filled with pride and gratitude.”
Makhanya’s rise to stardom began at Stellenbosch under Barker, but he is also grateful to South African-born coach Bradley Carnell, who worked with him at Philadelphia for the last 18 months before being sacked by the club.
“Coach Bradley is a really good coach,” Makhanya stated. “I had only been with him for about a season and a half, but I learned a lot from him – as a coach and as a person.
“I hope he understands how grateful I am for the opportunity he gave me and my family to showcase my journey.”
While he is in camp for the first time under Broos and is yet to make his senior national team debut, Makhanya could yet again hog the headlines by making the starting line-up when Bafana face Mexico in their World Cup opener at the Azteca Stadium on June 11.
Makhanya is familiar with both playing against Mexican teams and competing in Mexico, having faced the North American neighbours in the Concacaf interclub tournament over the years.
“Playing in the MLS has also given me an opportunity to compete against teams from Mexico in the Concacaf competitions. So, I would say there are a lot of things to expect,” Makhanya said.
“The fans and the opponents fight for everything from the start,” he added. “They fight for every ball. They are not overly physical, but they battle for the smallest things.
“They are also going to play mental games and try to get into your head by saying certain things. So, you need to stay focused at all times and not get intimidated. I believe this team has the qualities to go far in the tournament.”
Given all that, a starting debut for Makhanya at the World Cup would still come under scrutiny, but it could prove to be a masterstroke by Broos, especially if he partners Mbokezeli Mbokazi, who has set the MLS alight since joining Chicago Fire earlier this year.
“He’s been doing really well since he arrived in the MLS, and everyone is talking about him. He’s raised the flag really high,” Makhanya said.