Olwethu Makhanya #24

Profile

Like teammate Jayden Adams, Makhanya is a product of the Stellenbosch academy. After some exciting performances for the Western Cape-based club, including earning the accolade of Most Promising Player at Stellies during the 2022-23 season, Makhanya moved to Philadelphia. This was in 2023, with the young defender forming part of the Major Soccer League side’s Under-22 initiative, which recently saw compatriot Mbekezeli Mbokazi also make the switch to the US. In 2025, Makhanya helped anchor a backline that conceded a league-low 35 goals. Now in his fourth season with the US club, Makhanya has been rewarded with a World Cup spot and an opportunity to earn his first international senior cap for his country in North America. “It means a lot to me,” Makhanya told Union Soccer Blog. “It’s an opportunity that I’ve been working hard for. It’s right in front of me now. It’s an opportunity for me to go there and showcase myself.”

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