Olwethu Makhanya

Olwethu Makhanya's emergence at Philadelphia Union is turning heads, especially with his defensive prowess at such a tender age. His ability to recover the ball is nothing short of impressive, marking him as a standout in the league's defensive ranks. Showing maturity beyond his years, Makhanya excels in penalty area defending, consistently neutralising threats with aplomb. While his ball retention could use fine-tuning, his 1v1 defending skills are solid, demonstrating his knack for reading the game and timing his challenges. Makhanya's progressive carrying is a key feature of his style of play, allowing him to transition defence into attack seamlessly. However, his progressive passing lags slightly, suggesting room for growth in distribution from the back. While not an attacking force, his goal efficiency and threat are noteworthy for a centre back, hinting at untapped potential in set-piece situations. This scout report underscores a young player with high potential, poised to become a defensive lynchpin with continued development.