Mayo Set Sights On Bafana Return

CR Belouizdad striker Khanyisa Mayo says he is determined to catch the eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos in a bid to be part of the Belgian mentor’s plans going forward with the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.
Mayo made the step-up when he left Cape Town City for the 10-time Algerian champions in August last year, a move that allowed him to rub shoulders with the continent’s elite players in the CAF Champions League.
However, the 26-year-old talisman didn’t have the best of starts with the Chababists as he was regarded as a squad player upon his arrival. But he managed to find his feet and he has made 17 appearances across all competitions while netting three times so far.
The former Citizen gave the technical team and his teammates credit for helping him settle in a foreign land and successfully integrate into the squad, revealing that he’s in a good mental state despite being away from his native country.
“It definitely took me months to settle in, but I managed to find my feet because the technical team and the players helped me to adapt quickly to the league, the atmosphere, and the style of play in the team and it’s been a journey that I’m enjoying as a footballer,” said Mayo.
Mayo, who last featured for the national team in March 2024 during the FIFA international break against Andorra and Algeria, believes that he deserves a spot in the squad owing to his dazzling performances in recent matches.
“With the Bafana call-up, I’ve been raising my hand and knocking on the door once again, asking questions to be in the team but we’ll see what happens because it’s a long journey and the season is still long. God willingly everything will go according to my plan,” he asserted.
The Mthatha-born player has put his early struggles at Belouizad behind him and has since established himself as a versatile important figure to the Algerian giants – a role and task he takes no issue in carrying out.
“Yes, according to the positions I’ve been playing as a no.10 behind the striker, it’s an unfamiliar position as South Africans know me playing as a no.9. But I’m more comfortable playing with my feet and the coach is trying me in different positions,” Mayo added.
“I play in the wings, no.10 or striker at times, and I always give my 110% whenever I’m called upon each game and in training. For me, it’s about taking the opportunity with both hands and using it at the same time.
Moreover, CRB mentor Abdelkader Amrani, gave Mayo a lifeline at the club by rewarding him with regular starting berths since he replaced Corentin Martin, says he is pleased with the progress and work rate the Mzansi ace has shown.
“I’m very happy with his progress. In the beginning, it was very difficult for him like it is for a new person integrating with a new group. He’s been working very hard in training, there’s a lot of potential in him and we believe that he’s going to do very well,” said the 69-year-old tactician.
Following their 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League on Saturday, Belouizdad have been knocked out of the competition and will now shift their focus to improving their ninth-place standing in their domestic league.