Khanyisa Mayo's career at Algerian club CR Belouizdad has taken a dramatic turn after a challenging start.
The South African forward, who joined the club with high hopes, found himself struggling to make an impact in the early months of his tenure. With no goals in his first eight appearances, Mayo's future at the club was a topic of speculation, particularly amid talk that he was considering a return to the Betway Premiership.
However, the last few matches have shown a different side of Mayo, as the 26-year-old seems to have turned a corner in his form, scoring in two consecutive games.
His revival began in the CAF Champions League, where he scored a well-taken goal in a 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates. Although Belouizdad suffered defeat, Mayo's goal showcased his finishing ability and provided hope for his future at the club. His performance on the continental stage seemed to rejuvenate his confidence, and the goal against Pirates may have been the catalyst for what followed.
Mayo then followed up his Champions League strike with another goal in the Algerian Premier League, this time against ASO Chlef.
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The match ended in a vital win for Belouizdad, with Mayo's goal contributing to the team's 2-0 victory. The forward's newfound sharpness in front of goal, combined with his visible improvement in match fitness and understanding of the team's style of play, suggests that Mayo is finally finding his rhythm in Algeria.
The turnaround has come at a crucial time for Mayo.
Before his recent goals, there were growing murmurs that he was considering returning to South Africa, where he had previously made a name for himself with an impressive stint at Cape Town City. Speculation about his potential return to the Betway Premiership had been fueled by his lack of impact in Algeria and the challenges of adapting to a new league and environment. Many believed that the young forward would benefit from a return to more familiar surroundings in South Africa.
However, Mayo's recent performances in the CAF Champions League and the Algerian league seem to have put such talk to rest, at least for the time being.
His goals have injected new optimism, both for him personally and for CR Belouizdad as a whole. The club's coaching staff and supporters will be hoping that Mayo can continue to build on this form, and that he can contribute significantly to the team's ambitions in both domestic and continental competitions.
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