US-based South African coach Bradley Carnell has revealed his biggest shock upon arriving at MLS side Philadelphia Union, where he linked up with fellow countryman Olwethu Makhanya.
Carnell joined Philadelphia in January 2025 after a stint with fellow Major League Soccer outfit St. Louis City SC. At Union, the former Bafana Bafana star linked up with Makhanya, a rising South African defender who was still playing for the reserves at the time.
Carnell told FARPost in an interview that finding a fellow South African in the ranks gave him comfort as he settled. However, what shocked him most was that previous coaches had completely overlooked Makhanya.
Despite training with the first team, the young defender was never trusted with a chance, a decision Carnell found baffling, insisting Makhanya’s quality, discipline and technical ability were superior to several players who were regularly starting ahead of him.
Makhanya joined Philadelphia Union in 2023 from Stellenbosch FC through the MLS Under-22 Initiative, but despite showing the qualities to be a top centre-back, he remained stuck in the reserve side, making 26 appearances for Union II.
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Carnell’s arrival changed everything. He eventually handed Makhanya his debut on 23 February 2025, and the defender stamped his authority. Makhanya went on to make 53 appearances across all competitions. He helped Philadelphia finish top of the Eastern Conference ahead of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami to win the Supporters’ Shield.
In terms of goals, he managed to score three times before sealing a move to Rangers FC in Scotland on 30 July 2026, where he has since made 14 appearances across all competitions and won the Premiership Player of the Month for September.
“Obviously it was nice to know somebody who was local, not just for him but also for me. Coming into a place that was new, I believe it was a new chance for every player at the club,” Carnell told FARPost.
“He had a very good season in the second team, but I was shocked nobody at the club had confidence in playing him. It was a big surprise for me. I gave everybody a chance, and he took his chance.
“One of the players got injured, and he was brave, he was aggressive, he was technically very good, and for me I couldn’t understand how nobody had given him a chance.
“For me, it was exciting to work with him in pre-season, and he went from strength to strength every day. As much as I helped him, he helped me.”
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