Kaizer Chiefs’ new signing Khanyisa Mayo has described his move to Naturena as “a dream come true” after joining a club his father, Patrick Mayo, played for.
The 27-year-old signed for Amakhosi on a season-long loan deal from Algerian outfit CR Belouizdad. He becomes the eighth forward in the current Chiefs squad, joining Glody Lilepo, Ashley du Preez, Wandile Duba, Etiosa Ighodaro, Tashreeq Morris, Flavio Silva and Luke Baartman.
Belouizdad coach Sead Ramovic regarded Mayo as surplus to requirements, and the Bafana Bafana striker was not registered for this season by the North African side.
Before going to Algeria last season, the former Cape Town City FC star was linked with a move to Chiefs but opted to play abroad.
A Premier Soccer League [PSL] joint top goal-scorer at the end of the 2022/23 season with 12 goals, Mayo arrives at Chiefs with a track record that heightens expectations for him.
MAYO ON JOINING CHIEFS: ‘IT’S A DREAM COME TRUE’
Having previously been linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs before joining CR Belouizdad, Khanyisa Mayo has finally signed for his “dream club”. The deal includes an option for the Soweto giants to buy him on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
“It is a dream come true. The only team I would come back for is Kaizer Chiefs,” Mayo said after his unveiling as an Amakhosi player on Friday in Naturena.
“The club has a great history. My father is part of that great history, so I wanted to play for the biggest team in the country, in Africa, in the world, I can say, because Kaizer Chiefs is the biggest team in the world to me.”
FAMILY LEGACY CEMENTED
Meanwhile, Khanyisa’s father, Patrick, is an Amakhosi legend who turned out for the Soweto giants between 2003 and 2007 and was a teammate of Amakhosi sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr.
The retired versatile player is also a South African football great, having participated at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] with Bafana Bafana. The Mayos join the father and son class who have played for Chiefs.
His teammate, Aden McCarthy’s father, Fabian, was a central defender, while club chairman Kaizer Motaung also witnessed his son, Motaung Jr, wear the colours of Amakhosi.
Eliakim Khumalo and Doctor Khumalo also played for Amakhosi, alongside Joseph Mkhonza and Siphiwe Mkhonza, as well as Ace Nkomo and Morgan Gould.
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