There are reports that the Bafana Bafana stopper, Olwethu Makhanya, is aiming to return to the Philadelphia Union following his refusal to release him as wanted by the European teams, when he and the Union had agreed that he would be sold if wanted by a club in this continent.
Makhanya (22) who went with Bafana in the recently concluded World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America (USA), is said to be absent from the Philadelphia camp as the Major Soccer League (MLS) games continue.
According to reports from media sources in the USA, Makhanya was fired following Philadephia’s refusal to let him go since he was wanted by hundreds of teams in Europe, including Rangers FC of Scotland and KAA Gent who are giants of Belgian football. It turns out that Makhanya and the Union had agreed that he would be sold if he was wanted by a European club that put a reasonable fee on the table.
Makhanya’s contract with Philadephia will end in December next year.
It also appears that the managers of Philadephia do not agree that there is a written promise with this player except that all the players can leave if anyone wants him and this is what the team sees as satisfying.
Some reports indicate that Gent has come back many times trying to put better on the table but Philadephia is still not satisfied.
As the MLS games continue without Makhanya, it is not clear if there are any steps this team will take for him or if there is someone between Rangers and Gent who will put on the table that will make Philadelphia happy.
Before appearing at Stellenbosch FC, Makhanya started in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team Marumo Gallants.
In the 2022/2023 season, Makhanya became one of the most promising stoppers in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) which was followed by the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of The Tournament award.
He was also nominated for the Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season.