Mayo’s dad shares son’s frustrations at Kaizer Chiefs – ‘He ended up demoralised’

Patrick Mayo has described his son Khanyisa‘s previous season at Kaizer Chiefs as “demoralising,” but believes a permanent move to the club offers a much-needed fresh start for the forward.

In a recent interview, the former Bafana Bafana player reflected on his son’s challenging loan spell from Algerian side CR Belouizdad. With the deal now made permanent, Mayo Sr is optimistic about Khanyisa’s future under new head coach Fernando da Cruz.

“We are happy for him regarding the permanent move. He needs to work harder now. We know what he can do,” Mayo Sr stated as per Soccer Laduma. “I’m not saying he wasn’t working hard last season. But you know, sometimes when you are not playing regularly, you don’t push yourself.”

Mayo’s father shares son’s frustrations

Khanyisa, 27, managed just two goals in 15 appearances for the Amakhosi last season. His father highlighted the mental toll that a lack of game time took on the player.

“Last season, he ended up getting demoralised and frustrated because he wasn’t playing,” he explained. “I remember one day, they were playing here at home in Gqeberha. They came all the way with him, but he was sitting with us in the stands, which was frustrating.”

The incident was not only a blow for the player but also for his family and local supporters who had turned up to see him play.

“It also frustrated us because we thought he was going to be in the team, playing in front of his own crowd,” Mayo Sr recalled. “He would have done well in that game because everybody wanted to see him. Most of the people in his province went to the stadium to watch him, not knowing he was going to be sitting in the stands. It was very disappointing.”

Hope alive after new Kaizer Chiefs deal

However, with the past behind them, the focus is now on the future. The permanent contract and a new coach signal a clean slate for Khanyisa.

“But it’s all in the past. This is a fresh start. He’s on a permanent deal, and there is a new coach. He needs to put his foot down so that the coach can see they can rely on him. I know what he’s capable of doing,” his father asserted.

Mayo Sr also believes that a successful season could put his son back in contention for a national team call-up.

“I’m sure he’s going to push himself for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers to be called up by the national team coach, whoever is in charge,” he added, confident that his son can deliver more than his previous season’s statistics suggest.