Olwethu Makhanya
South Africa
DEF
Age
22
Appearances
0
Tackles won
0
About Olwethu Makhanya
Olwethu Makhanya is named in Hugo Broos's 26-man South Africa squad for the 2026 World Cup, one of the centre-backs. The Philadelphia Union defender is 22 at kick-off.
He has made 17 appearances for Philadelphia this season and made his senior South Africa debut in May 2026. South Africa qualified by winning CAF Group C in October 2025, and open Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
He has made 17 appearances for Philadelphia this season and made his senior South Africa debut in May 2026. South Africa qualified by winning CAF Group C in October 2025, and open Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
0
Minutes played
0
Tackles won
0
Interceptions
0
Clearances
0
Blocks
0
Playing Style
A composed young centre-back, Makhanya is strong in his aerial duels and reliable in the tackle for South Africa. He clears danger from defence to keep his side steady. He stands 1.85m and is right-footed. He has logged 1,468 club minutes for Philadelphia this season, going into the group stage in Hugo Broos's squad at 22.
World Cup History
The 2026 World Cup is set to be Olwethu Makhanya's first at senior level, with no senior World Cup on his record. He made his senior South Africa debut earlier in 2026. Hugo Broos has named him among the defenders in the 26-man squad for the finals. He stays among South Africa's centre-back options on the final list.
National Team
South Africa
Tier 5
£4m
📋 Teammates (20)
View teamGoalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
Makhanya's work for South Africa is at the back, a young centre-back whose aerial ability and tackling help the side defend its box, the kind of steady defending a Tier 5 side relies on, with 17 appearances for Philadelphia this season. On the Goal Rush card South Africa are a Tier 5 side at £4m, one of the lower bands within the game's £200m card budget.
🏆 Goal Rush
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Select South Africa (Tier 5, £4m) in Goal Rush and every goal Olwethu Makhanya scores counts towards your total.
Makhanya at the 2026 World Cup
Makhanya is a confirmed defender in Hugo Broos's 26-man South Africa squad for the 2026 World Cup. He is in the South Africa side opening their Group A campaign in June.
Picking South Africa in Goal Rush
South Africa come in at Tier 5 on the Goal Rush card at £4m. They open Group A against Mexico in mid-June, and Makhanya is among the centre-backs in the confirmed 26.
Olwethu Makhanya World Cup 2026 FAQs
South Africa are a Tier 5 side at £4m on the Goal Rush card, among the lower bands. Makhanya is in Hugo Broos's confirmed 26 as a centre-back, so his role is the quick reference at that team price.
Makhanya is a centre-back for South Africa. He plays his club football for Philadelphia Union and is part of Hugo Broos's squad for the 2026 World Cup, named in the final 26.
No. He has no previous senior World Cup appearances. The 2026 World Cup would be his first, with his place confirmed in Hugo Broos's 26-man South Africa squad after South Africa won CAF Group C to reach the finals.
Makhanya plays his club football for Philadelphia Union. He is named as a centre-back in Hugo Broos's final 26-man South Africa squad for the 2026 World Cup, one of the defensive options Broos takes to the finals.
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