Olwethu Makhanya
South African soccer player (born 2004)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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Makhanya with the Philadelphia Union in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Olwethu Mpilwenhle Makhanya | ||
| Date of birth | 30 April 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Durban, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 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 | 5 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2026– | South Africa | 1 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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
Personal life
Makhanya has regarded England international John Stones as one of his soccer idols.[12] Olwethu was born in Durban South Africa.
Career statistics
- As of match played 20 August 2026[13]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Stellenbosch | 2022–23 | South African Premiership | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 23 | 1 | |||
| Philadelphia Union | 2025 | Major League Soccer | 29 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 3[c] | 0 | 36 | 2 | ||
| 2026 | Major League Soccer | 13 | 0 | — | — | 4[d] | 1 | — | 17 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 42 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 3 | |||
| Rangers | 2026–27 | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[e] | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | |
| Career total | 63 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 80 | 4 | ||
- Includes Nedbank Cup, U.S. Open Cup
- Includes Scottish League Cup
- Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs
- Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
- One appearance in UEFA Europa League, one appearance in UEFA Conference League
Honours
Philadelphia Union
