Cape Town City trigger two more years on Khanyisa Mayo's contract

And the striker showed why he is a valuable asset for the Citizens after scoring the winning goal to guide them to a 2-1 victory over Royal AM on Saturday afternoon at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban. 

It’s no secret that Mayo is being monitored by City’s local rivals in the DStv Premiership and the slim chance of the player leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season was thwarted by the decision to extend his existing deal to June 2025. 

This means Mayo will come at a hefty figure for any suitor, leaving his fate firmly in the hands of club chairman John Comitis. 

Following the result against Royal AM, which went a long way in helping City consolidate their Top 8 position with three games to go and pushed Mayo to double figures – just one shy of leading scorer Peter Shalulile on 11 – coach Eric Tinkler expressed an eagerness to hold on to the forward, especially with reported interest. 

“He’s got a contract with the club and we are not looking to move anyone at this stage,” the coach told journalists. 

Tinkler believes Mayo should be scoring more. 

“If I have to be brutally honest…Mayo shouldn’t be on 10, he should be on a lot more. He’s got to help himself. We’ve created plenty opportunities since the beginning of the season and it’s about turning those opportunities that are created into goals. Our strikers need to understand that, when you watch leagues around the world, 10 goals is not a lot for strikers,” explained the coach. 

“He should be doubling that....20 or 25, somewhere there. That’s where he should be aiming and looking to improve come next season. If he was scoring 30 goals, I don’t think he would be here. [Collins] Mbesuma scored 30 and ended up at Portsmouth.” 

Contacted for comment on the extension of Mayo’s contract, his agent played her cards close to her chest on the latest developments. 

“Khanyisa has some time left on his contract,” said Basia Michaels. 

“He is focused on the task at hand and loves playing the football he is playing under coach Eric as you can see with the goals, and is happy. He wants to get back into Bafana and the work he is putting in is a clear sign of that.”