Pitso Mosimane has welcomed Olwethu Makhanya’s sensational start to life at Glasgow Rangers, insisting the young defender is making a strong case for increased competition for places in the Bafana Bafana squad.
The 22-year-old completed his move to the Scottish giants from MLS side Philadelphia Union during the off-season and has wasted little time making an impression.
Makhanya has quickly established himself in Derek McInnes’ side, including starring in his first Old Firm derby against Celtic as Rangers claimed back-to-back wins over the past two weeks.
His performances have now caught the attention of newly-appointed Bafana head coach Mosimane, with the defender looking to force his way into the national team picture after being part of the squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Makhanya was selected by Mosimane’s predecessor for the tournament but did not feature during the campaign, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Ime Okon preferred in central defence.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who turned 21 this week, is currently unavailable for selection after suffering a thigh injury following his return to Chicago Fire in July.
That has opened the door for increased competition in the defensive department, and Mosimane believes Makhanya is doing everything possible to make his case.
“If you understand and follow football properly, you don’t play the Glasgow Derby if you don’t have the mental capacity for it,” Mosimane said.
“Before talent, it’s a big stage, and he went to play away, last week it was at home.”
Makhanya’s performances have been accompanied by an attacking contribution, with the defender appearing to score a spectacular goal during his impressive start to life in Scotland, only for it to be ruled out after the ball had struck his hand in the build-up.
Mosimane admitted he initially thought the effort would stand.
“I thought the goal he scored would be allowed, what a cracker, but unfortunately the ball hit the hand before,” he said.
‘Let’s have more competition for places’
For Mosimane, however, the bigger picture is Makhanya’s emergence as another option for Bafana ahead of the challenges facing the national team.
The Bafana coach believes players should be pushing one another for places rather than becoming comfortable with their position in the squad.
“Yes, he’s raising his hand to say, ‘I want to play also,'” Mosimane added. “I respect that Mbokazi has been great and done exceptionally well.
“I’m playing in Europe, playing for a big team, I also deserve an opportunity, and let the games speak.
“Let’s have competition, let the players have pressure.”
Mosimane used the attacking positions as an example of the depth he wants to see throughout his squad, pointing to players such as Luther Singh, Oswin Appollis, Cassius Mailula, Relebohile Mofokeng and Thapelo Maseko.
“Because the moment you don’t have a Luther Singh behind Appollis, you don’t have a Cassius behind Rele, you don’t have Puso behind Maseko,” he said.
“It’s when we start to be relaxed.”
For Mosimane, Makhanya’s rise in Scotland is therefore about more than simply one player’s individual form. He wants the competition for places within Bafana to be constant, with players competing at club level and forcing the national team coach to make difficult selection decisions.
“Let’s all not be in a comfort zone, let’s all push and have enough players for the country,” Mosimane concluded.
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