Motsepe Foundation Championship side Cape Town City FC have confirmed that midfielder Xhosa Manyana will spend the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Kaizer Chiefs.
The announcement by the Citizens was made just 30 minutes before Chiefs hosted Golden Arrows in a league tie at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, marking the club’s first competitive fixture following the 2025 AFCON break.
Manyana’s acquisition also comes a day after Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze stated that they were happy with the 12 signings made ahead of the season—with some yet to make their debut—as Chiefs have remained notably quiet in the January transfer window until now.
The 20-year-old youth international becomes Amakhosi’s first signing of the current window. Despite signing his first professional contract with CT City in October 2024, Manyana was yet to feature for the Citizens’ first team in the second tier this season. He was, however, a mainstay in their DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] setup for two seasons before embarking on a loan spell with MLS Next Pro side FC Cincinnati 2 in January 2025.
Internationally, Manyana boasts an impressive pedigree. He represented South Africa at the 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Algeria, playing alongside current Chiefs teammates Takalani Mazhamba and Luke Baartman. More recently, he was a key figure in the South African U-20 side that clinched the 2024 COSAFA Cup in October, a victory that secured their spot in the 2025 U-20 AFCON, where Amajita rose to become champions of Africa.
A REPLACEMENT FOR “OX” MTHETHWA?
The decision to bring in Manyana appears to be a direct response to an injury in the heart of Chiefs’ midfield. The club’s primary defensive anchor, Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa, has reportedly suffered a fresh setback. After recovering from a previous knock that sidelined him for two matches against TS Galaxy and Chippa United, Mthethwa is understood to have sustained a new injury during the AFCON break that will result in another spell on the sidelines.
The 31-year-old Mthethwa has been a pillar of consistency for coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, featuring 17 times this season. His absence leaves a void. While the likes of Siphesihle Ndlovu and Thabo Cele are available, both are viewed naturally as central midfielders rather than specialised defensive anchors.
In a further sign of the thin numbers in the holding midfield role, Chiefs DDC captain and defensive midfielder Thulani ‘Touch’ Mabaso was promoted to the matchday squad for the Arrows clash, starting on the bench after impressing during first-team training sessions.
RELATED STORY: Cape Town City FC sign ex-TS Galaxy striker