Kaizer Chiefs’ on-loan talisman Khanyisa Mayo has broken his silence regarding his long-term future at Naturena, addressing the prospects of turning his current stint from Algerian giants CR Belouizdad into a permanent stay.
Mayo joined Chiefs on a season-long loan from CR Belouizdad, marking a high-profile return to the Betway Premiership after a challenging 2024/25 stint in North Africa. Crucially, the agreement includes an option to buy, giving the Soweto giants the opportunity to secure the forward’s services on a permanent basis when his current tenure expires in June.
The clinical forward originally moved to Algeria in July 2024 following a prolific spell at Cape Town City FC, where he was regarded as one of the PSL’s most lethal marksmen.
However, after struggling to adapt to the tactical demands of the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1, Belouizdad opted to loan out the Bafana Bafana international. During his time in North Africa, Mayo managed just six goals and a solitary assist in 41 appearances across all competitions.
Despite the hype surrounding his homecoming, the former Richards Bay FC man has found it difficult to rediscover his scoring boots at Naturena. After a dream start—scoring on his debut against Marumo Gallants—Mayo has since endured a frustrating goal drought. With only one goal in 12 appearances for the Glamour Boys, the marquee signing has struggled to cement a regular starting berth in a highly competitive Chiefs frontline.
WHAT MAYO SAID ABOUT PUSHING FOR A PERMANENT MOVE TO CHIEFS
The 27-year-old faces stiff competition in the Glamour Boys’ attacking department, vying for a starting spot against the likes of Flavio Silva, Wandile Duba, Etiosa Ighodaro, Tashreeq Morris, and Ashley Du Preez.
While Mayo has yet to rediscover the scintillating form that saw him clinch the 2022/23 Golden Boot with 12 goals at Cape Town City, the forward remains unfazed by the spotlight. Despite the looming expiration of his loan, he insists he is not feeling the heat to secure a permanent stay.
“I can’t say [being on loan] is putting me under pressure. The pressure is always there; I was born into a family of pressure,” said Mayo, the son of the legendary Patrick Mayo.
“When you represent an institution like Kaizer Chiefs, expectations are a constant, so I don’t think it’s something I can’t handle. As the season progresses and I get my opportunity, I intend to seize it and prove that I belong here permanently.”
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