Growing worries over high-profile Kaizer Chiefs signing

Kaizer Chiefs signed the 27-year-old star on loan from Algerian side CR Belouizdad on 5 September 2025, before scoring one goal in 12 games.

Before joining Amakhosi, the Mthatha-born player established himself as a prolific striker primarily with Cape Town City, where he recorded 29 goals and six assists in 93 appearances across all competitions.

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CONCERNS FROM PHUMLANI MKHIZE

During his standout 2022/23 Premiership campaign, he finished as the league’s joint-top goalscorer with 12 goals in 27 matches. At CRB in Algeria, he contributed six goals in 41 outings.

Mkhize expressed disappointment with Mayo’s performances for Kaizer Chiefs, saying he had expected more from the striker given the team’s shortage of a natural goalscorer and believed Mayo could be the solution.

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“Okay, let’s forget about him scoring and look at his assists and performance on the pitch,” Mkhize told KickOff. “Everything is down. I don’t know if he is not adjusting to the coach’s style of play or what. At the moment, Flavio Silva is the one doing better amongst the team’s strikers.

“Mayo’s performance is not promising, to be honest. He is unable to play, he is unable to score. Instead, he is struggling to start matches. I suspect he will not be kept by the club at the end of the season,” the former African Wanderers and Orlando Pirates star added.

EARLY INJURY AT KAIZER CHIEFS

Mkhize acknowledged Mayo’s recent injury but noted that, by now, he should have demonstrated something in at least one or two of his 12 appearances to give the fans hope.

“We are talking here about a player who was performing well at his parent club,” Mkhize said. “A product of South African football. He understands the football culture here very well; he doesn’t need to adapt.

“So, I’m very disappointed with how he has struggled to prove himself in front of the Kaizer Chiefs supporters. If you can’t score, then make an assist at least. Contribute something to the team.”