Competing with MLS stars and season of growth, shaping Makhanya’s World Cup dream

Makhanya, who moved to Union at the age of 18 from Stellenbosch FC, signed as part of the U-22 initiative – which allows teams to sign up to three young players aged 22 or younger – has now grown into a fully fledged international in a competitive global league. With the World Cup coming to the US, Makhanya, who hails from KwaMakhutha south of Durban, dreams of donning the rainbow nation’s colours.

"Honestly, for me it would be like one of my wildest dreams coming true. I feel like it's every soccer player's dream to play for and represent their country. So, I would say to be part of the national team would honestly be a huge dream come true. Especially to represent the national team at that level of a World Cup – that would truly be a big honour for me and a dream come true," said Makhanya

Makhanya, who is now entering his third year in the US, having first spent the first 18 months playing for the Union U23 team, had a great 2025 season playing a total of 36 matches in all competitions and scoring two goals in the process.

"Obviously, last season was really a big season for me. I made my MLS debut, so it was an important season for my growth. When the season started, I knew the debut was coming. I had set goals for myself and had expectations, but I would honestly say I exceeded those expectations that I had for myself. 

"The more I played, the more I was growing as a player and the team was doing really well. When the team is doing really good the energy around the environment and facility you feel everyone is in a good space, so that allowed me to grow even more as a player. Also, working with very experienced players and learning from the best has really been good for me."

At Union, Makhanya is coached by former Bafana Bafana defender Bradley Carnell, who has experience in the MLS and is now coaching at his third club in the league. The 21-year-old says working with Carnell has really been beneficial to him.

"It's been a really good thing for me to work under a coach from back home, given the fact that he understands where I come from. He understands the culture and everything. It doesn't make the job easy, but it makes it easier to work with someone who understands  you outside football and understands where you're from and your story and what you're trying to achieve. So I would say there's a lot of understanding between us, which kinda makes the job a little easier." 

Carnell has been in the MLS for nine years now, having first worked as an assistant coach and interim manager at New York Red Bulls, the head coach at St. Louis City and now the head coach at Union. 

Makhanya will play his second game in the CONCACAF Champions Cup tomorrow morning, a CAF Champions League version in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean Islands – against Defence Force from Trinidad and Tobago. His side leads 5-0 from the first leg, in which Makhanya was among the goalscorers. He is excited about participating in the continental cup, where they stand to face teams from Mexico, Panama and Jamaica, just to mention a few.