After a long 18-month wait, former Betway Premiership star Olwethu Makhanya finally made his debut for Philadelphia Union over the weekend.
Bradley Carnell, who is still fresh in his role as the side's manager, led his charges to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Orlando City SC on Sunday, marking a positivie start to life at the club for the South African coach.
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Forward Tai Baribo stole the show with a clinical brace, while Daniel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre also got on the scoresheet for Union.
Despite Marco Pasalic's double for Orlando City, Carnell's side secured all three points in their season opener.
The encounter also marked an unforgettable debut for Makhanya. He had been eagerly awaiting his first senior appearance, and finally got his moment on the big stage.
The 20-year-old South African defender made the switch from Stellenbosch FC in 2023 but had to bide his time with the reserve side, where he featured in 31 matches last season.
Partnering Jakob Glesnes in central defence, Makhanya initially showed signs of nerves but quickly settled into the game, earning praise from his coach.
"It was great seeing Olwethu Makhanya out there playing the way we wanted. It took him a while to settle in, but he eventually got it right, and I'm confident in him," Carnell said after the match per Daily Sports.
Makhanya showcased his ability at the highest level, completing 81% of his passes and making a crucial block.
With his debut now behind him, the young defender will be eager to build on this performance and establish himself as a key player for the Major League Soccer outfit this season.
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Meanwhile, former Maritzburg United star Bongokuhle Hlongwane was also in action over the weekend, but his Minnesota United side suffered a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC.