Every team has that player who is looked upon when the chips are down, and there is no denying that Khanyisa Mayo is that man for Cape Town City… no disrespect to his teammates, of course. To think this is only his second season in the elite division. The 24-year-old player's performances have been so eye-catching that they didn't miss the roving eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who selected him for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Now the Mthatha-born lad has his eyes set on making the cut for the squad that will be representing South Africa at the biennial showpiece, a playground of scouts from around the world. Talking of scouts, reports of Mayo having courted the advances of Mamelodi Sundowns have been incessant, and with the Citizens being a selling club, some believe it is a matter of when, not if, the tricky attacker switches camps. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina, he discusses the season he's had, sets the record straight on all the speculation and why the game against Orlando Pirates was their toughest of the campaign.
Masebe Qina: Heita, Khanyisa. With two rounds of fixtures left before the season ends, how would you describe how this campaign has gone for you and Cape Town City?
Khanyisa Mayo: I think we have had an inconsistent season because we had aimed for a CAF spot and things didn't go so well for us in that regard. We would have loved to qualify for the Champions League again like we did last season, but currently, it has been a bit tough for us. For me personally, I think it has been a great season because I have managed to score more goals than I did last season. I try to make use of every chance that I get. It is my second season in the PSL (DStv Premiership). I set myself a target to compete for honours and I am happy with how I have done so far. For us as a club, I think it was a learning curve because it was the first time that we went to the Champions League. It was good to get a feel of what continental football is all about. We managed to get the experience and we tried our best to compete, although it was tough. I think going forward we can do much better because we learnt what continental football is all about. I don't think we will make the same mistakes the next time we are in the tournament.
MQ: Does your coach, Eric Tinkler, share the same sentiments about this season?
KM: The coach is always emphasising about us having to push in each and every game. He is always encouraging us to fight for one another so that we can achieve on what the club wants. We are all trying to pull in one direction in order for the club to achieve its objectives. The coach is always there for us and encouraging us to do well. I think as the players, we would have done well to reward ourselves and the coach if we can qualify for CAF again, or at least finish the season in (the) top three.
MQ: Your most recent big match was against Orlando Pirates, on 22 April, where you scored the game's opener, only for the Citizens to be undone by two goals for the opposition.
KM: It was a great experience for me to play against Pirates because in the first round match when we played against them in Cape Town, I was injured. I was happy to get a chance this time around to play against one of the big clubs in the country. I was happy to get into the scoresheet because it is tough to come up against Orlando Pirates, especially with the form that they are in at the moment. The coach did mention before the match that it was going to be tough against Pirates with the current form that they are enjoying. We scored early and I think we should have managed the game better. I think in certain moments of the game, we lost too much of the ball. With the coach that we have, he is always emphasising on the importance of playing good football. We are a ball-playing team and the coach is always encouraging us to keep the ball. I think that game was the toughest game that we played this season. In the first round game, Pirates lost 2-1 against us and they wanted to rectify that this time around.
MQ: Has everything happened the way you expected in the top tier of South African football since you joined the Citizens from Richards Bay FC in 2021?
KM: Definitely! It has been a good experience playing under a new coach and new teammates. At Richards Bay, I played in the second tier and I was used to a different philosophy. When I joined City, I had to adjust, but fortunately, as an individual you know your strengths and you trust yourself and that is why it wasn't too difficult for me to adjust. I had to adapt quickly to the philosophy of the team and the coach, and my teammates were very helpful. Being a professional soccer player, one needs to adapt quickly to every situation that he comes across. I managed to score four goals last season and I registered two assists. I am happy that I have been scoring goals this season. In my first season in this league, it was all about adjusting for me and I think I did that well. So, this season I wanted to compete for honours because I do not doubt my talent. While I was playing in the NFD (National First Division, now called Motsepe Foundation Championship), I think I managed to score more than 20 goals in the seasons that I was there. In the team that I am in, we create so many scoring opportunities and that's why I was confident that I could score as many goals as I possibly could in my second season with the club. Me being the target man or me playing out wide, it makes it more easier for me to score goals.
MQ: Did you set yourself a target for the number of goals you wanted to score?
KM: Well, I would say I am not yet satisfied with the number of goals that I have scored so far. I think I can do much better in terms of scoring and assisting for the team. My aim was to reach double figures quickly. Unfortunately, I had an injury that affected the process of me scoring goals. After coming back, I had to get my confidence back quickly. Once my confidence is back and I regain my form, no one can stop me from scoring and assisting for the club.
MQ: You have also been selected for Bafana Bafana in recent times. Tell us about that.
KM: It is a feeling that I don't know how to express. It is a great feeling to be recognised by your country at senior level. I have come through the junior ranks from the U17, U20 and U23 (teams). Having graduated to Bafana is a wonderful feeling. It's a dream come true. I always wanted to represent my country at the highest level. It is work in progress and I think I am going in the right direction as a player. I am dreaming of playing in the Afcon and in the World Cup because those are the competitions where you compete against the best in the world. There, you compete against your Mo Salahs, your Sadio Manes and other top players. As much as Bafana will be going to the Afcon, I also have a dream and I aspire to be in that squad that will be in the tournament. That's why I work week in and week out to try and improve on my weaknesses and strengths. I have played for the junior national teams, but Bafana would be a different stage.
MQ: You have been strongly linked with Mamelodi Sundowns. What can you share with our readers regarding that? Are you going, going, gone?
KM: I don't know anything about that and I haven't been told anything by my agent regarding that. The club boss (John Comitis) hasn't said anything to me about that. I am contracted to Cape Town City and that's what I respect. Whatever is happening from the outside is not for me to worry about. I always focus on my football and that's what I can control. I don't know anything about the rumours from the outside. I am contracted to Cape Town City and I am honouring my contract with the club.
MQ: So, you haven't spoken to anyone from Sundowns?
KM: No, I haven't spoken to anyone from Sundowns. Anything outside of football is for my agent to deal with and my focus is on playing. What I can control is what I do on the pitch. I can only control my performances that I dish out week in and week out. I would like to stay at the club that I am at because it is a wonderful club. I remember that I even told my father (Patrick Mayo) even when I was young that I would like to play for Cape Town City. I always liked the brand of football that the club has been playing. I am happy at Cape Town City and I want to win trophies with the club.
MQ: Thanks for clarifying the Downs rumours, and it's good to hear you're enjoying your game at the Citizens and intend on staying at the club. Although we've been around long enough to know that things change in a split-second in football and we might see you wearing different colours next season. Khanyisa, let us leave it there for now. All the best for your remaining games.
KM: Thanks.
KHANYISA MAYO FACT FILE
Name: Khanyisa Erick Mayo
Date of birth: 27 August 1998
Place of birth: Mthatha, Eastern Cape
Nickname: Section 10
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: 11
Club: Cape Town City
Previous clubs: Chippa United juniors, SuperSport United juniors, SuperSport United, Ubuntu Cape Town FC, Royal Eagles, Richards Bay FC
Honours: 2021 Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player award, 5 Bafana Bafana cap
