Motaung Jr explains Chiefs’ ‘coup’ with Mayo signing

An excited Kaizer Motaung has explained the reasons behind Kaizer Chiefs’ signing of Khanyisa Mayo, outlining how the Bafana Bafana striker will be a crucial asset in the current 2025/26 season.

The Soweto giants confirmed the signing of Mayo on a season-long loan deal from Algerian giants CR Belouizdad on Friday.

Mayo had just sent one campaign in Algeria as he returned to South Africa in search of game time. The highly-rated striker fell out of favour with CR Belouizdad head coach Sead Ramovic and was not registered for the 2025/26 campaign.

He had joined the Algerian side from Cape Town City FC at the start of the previous season and still has two years remaining on his contract with the club.

In his first season in Algeria, Mayo featured in 41 games, scoring six goals and providing one assist. However, despite the below-par statistics, Chiefs’ sporting director Kaizer  Jr stated that they have been tracking the player for some time.

“It’s no secret that we wanted to bring Khanyisa to Naturena before his move to Algeria,” Motaung Jr. said.

Mayo, who won the 2022/23 PSL Golden Boot after netting 12 goals, is now the 11th new player to join Chiefs in the current transfer window. He joins a list of new faces, including Lebohang Maboe, Etiosa Ighodaro, Siphesihle Ndlovu, and Ethan Chislett, among others.

Motaung Jr is of the view that Mayo’s goal-scoring ability will benefit the 2025 Nedbank Cup champions, particularly in the CAF Confederation Cup.

“He has a proven track record in the league, and we believe he will add significant value to the squad this season when we play in the league, as well as on the continent,” he added on Mayo, who is the son of Chiefs legend Patrick Mayo.

“He joins a select group of athletes who’ve made their families proud by following in their footsteps. We are truly happy to have him here and wish him all the best.”

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