Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Junior Khanye has given his thoughts on Khanyisa Mayo’s high-profile move to Amakhosi, drawing comparisons between the striker and his father, Patrick Mayo, who once donned the black and gold.
Khanye, who shared the dressing room with Patrick during his own playing days, says the resemblance between father and son is clear to see.
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“I played with Khanyisa’s father, Patrick Mayo, at Kaizer Chiefs, and I was fortunate to share a dressing room with him, he’s such a nice person. He was a good striker who used to score goals. So, Khanyisa has taken from his father – he is doing what Patrick used to do. Patrick knew how to kick with his left foot, and his son is also left-footed, and so there are similarities there,” Khanye explained.
The outspoken analyst believes Chiefs have made one of their best attacking signings in years by bringing in the Bafana Bafana forward.
“Khanyisa is not a bad signing for Chiefs, although I feel that it would have been better if Chiefs had signed him before he went to Algeria. Compared to all the striker signings that Chiefs have made in recent seasons, I think Mayo rates among the best. Technically, the boy is very good, and I have no doubt about that. He’s got a football brain,” he said.
“What I like the most about the boy is that he has already proven himself in the league. During his time with Cape Town City, he did very well. Compared to the likes of (Ranga) Chivaviro, (Tashreeq) Morris and (Bonfils-Caleb) Bimenyimana, the boy is much better than those signings. Also, while Mayo still has age on his side, he has already gathered so much experience and that makes his signing even more relevant and important.”
Khanye, however, insists that there is still room for improvement in Mayo’s game.
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“All that I think the boy should focus on now is to work on his work-rate. That’s what I have been saying about Sipho Mbule and Tito Maswanganyi as well – that they should up their work-rate and everything will be perfect for them. Talent is undisputable, and just the work-rate, and that’s something you can do even alone with extra training and things like that,” Khanye added.
Mayo’s arrival has been met with excitement by the Amakhosi faithful, and with the endorsement of someone who knows both the Chiefs culture and the Mayo family legacy, the spotlight on the Bafana striker will only grow brighter.
