Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa) with Olwethu Makhanya during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South Africa Team Announcement and Send Off ahead of their deprarture to the Americas.
Olwethu Makhanya has gradually and carefully honed his skillset in Major League Soccer (MLS) in recent years, which is why he’s not surprised – but grateful – to have been selected for the Bafana Bafana World Cup-bound team.
Makhanya was included in the 26-member final World Cup squad for Bafana by coach Hugo Broos at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Hatfield, Pretoria, on Wednesday night.
His inclusion in the team, alongside Bradley Cross and Kamogelo Sebelebele, was notable. However, those who have followed the progress of the 22-year-old centre-back felt that his call-up was long overdue and well deserved for the tournament.
Makhanya made his breakthrough in Stellenbosch’s reserve team during the 2022/23 season. However, he impressed coach Steve Barker enough to earn promotion to the first team for the second half of the campaign.
