Olwethu Makhanya

Olwethu Makhanya
Makhanya with the Philadelphia Union in 2025
Personal information
Full name Olwethu Mpilwenhle Makhanya
Date of birth (2004-04-30) 30 April 2004
Place of birth Durban, South Africa
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Rangers
Number 24
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Stellenbosch 20 (1)
2023–2026 Philadelphia Union 42 (1)
2023–2024 Philadelphia Union II 26 (1)
2026– Rangers 1 (0)
International career
2026– South Africa 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Olwethu Mpilwenhle Makhanya (born 30 April 2004) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Scottish Premiership club Rangers and the South Africa national team.[2]

Club career

Makhanya started his career with South African side Stellenbosch, where he was regarded to have performed well for the club.[3]

He was nominated for South Africa Young Footballer of the Year.[4]

He won the 2022-23 Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player award.[5]

In 2023, he signed for American side Philadelphia Union, becoming the club's first under-22 initiative signing.[6]

On 30 July 2026, Makhanya signed for Scottish Premiership club Rangers on a four-year deal with the option for an additional year.[7]

International career

On 28 May 2026, he was selected by manager Hugo Broos to represent his nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[8][9]

Style of play

Makhanya is known for his bravery.[10] He can operate as a central defender in a back four or a back three.[11]

Personal life

Makhanya has regarded England international John Stones as one of his soccer idols.[12]

Career statistics

As of match played 20 August 2026[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stellenbosch 2022–23 South African Premiership 20130———231
Philadelphia Union 2025 Major League Soccer 29141——3[c]0362
2026 Major League Soccer 130——4[d]1—171
Total 42141—4130533
Rangers 2026–27 Scottish Premiership 1000102[e]0—40
Career total 63271106130804
  1. ↑ Includes Nedbank Cup, U.S. Open Cup
  2. ↑ Includes Scottish League Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs
  4. ↑ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
  5. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Europa League, one appearance in UEFA Conference League

Honours

Philadelphia Union

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA World Cup 2026: Squad List" (PDF). FIFA. 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Makhanya: The Anticipation Was Killing Me". snl24.com.
  3. ↑ "Stellies proud to release Makhanya". sowetanlive.co.za.
  4. ↑ "What could Olwethu Makhanya offer at Downs?". snl24.com.
  5. ↑ "Makhanya: How Philadelphia Scouted Me In SA". Soccer Laduma.
  6. ↑ "Olwethu Makhanya's special MLS status explained". sabcsport.com.
  7. ↑ "Rangers Sign Olwethu Makhanya From Philadelphia Union". Rangers.
  8. ↑ "La liste de l'Afrique du Sud pour le Mondial, adversaire du Mexique dans le match d'ouverture de la Coupe du monde". L'Équipe (in French). 28 May 2026. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  9. ↑ Union, Philadelphia. "Philadelphia Union Agree To Transfer Of Defender Olwethu Makhanya to Rangers F.C." Philadelphia Union. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Olwethu Makhanya - Times Live article".
  11. ↑ "Philadelphia Union director opens up on signing 'explosive' Makhanya". Kick Off.
  12. ↑ "Olwethu Makhanya living the American dream in MLS". 947.co.za.
  13. ↑ "Olwethu Makhanya". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Philadelphia Union win 2025 Supporters' Shield". MLS Soccer. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
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