Khanyisa Mayo arrived at Kaizer Chiefs with high expectations. He was seen as a major attacking reinforcement. However, his loan spell from Algerian side CR Belouizdad has not gone as planned.
The 27-year-old forward has struggled to find his best form in Naturena. His productivity has been low throughout the campaign. This has led to questions regarding his long-term future with the Amakhosi.
A difficult season by the numbers
Mayo’s statistics this season tell a frustrating story. He has made only 12 appearances for the club. In that time, he has managed to score just one goal.
That goal came on his debut back in September. Since then, he has failed to find the back of the net. His playing time has also been limited. He has only completed one full 90-minute shift all season.
Availability and fitness concerns
The Mthatha-born striker has been absent from the squad more often than not. Since joining in September, he has missed 15 matches.
It has been seven weeks since his last appearance for the side. This lack of continuity makes it difficult for any player to find rhythm. At a club like Kaizer Chiefs, the pressure for immediate results is always high. Even teammates like Relebohile Mofokeng have had to deal with significant supporter criticism recently.
The parent club’s stance
According to kickoff.com, his parent club in Algeria is ready to move on. CR Belouizdad invested nearly R20 million to sign Mayo from Cape Town City two years ago.
Reports suggest they are open to ending the relationship this off-season. CRB is currently performing well under coach Sead Ramovic. They are chasing a top-three finish and competing in two cup semi-finals. They appear to be planning for a future without Mayo.
Will Chiefs trigger the buy option?
Chiefs have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. Based on his current output, the chances of this happening look slim.
Mayo was a consistent scorer for two years at Cape Town City. He has not yet replicated that level of performance in Soweto. With only 10 games remaining, he faces a massive task to change the narrative.
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