Kaizer Chiefs’ new recruit Khanyisa Mayo has been handed one of the club’s most historic shirt numbers as he begins life at Naturena.
The 27-year-old striker completed his season-long loan move from Algerian side CR Belouizdad on Friday, before being officially unveiled by Amakhosi the following morning.
Chiefs confirmed that Mayo will wear the No.3 jersey during the 2025/26 campaign – a number steeped in club tradition.
Traditionally reserved for defenders, the jersey is most famously associated with former captain Eric Mathoho, who wore it for more than a decade.
From the 2012/13 season until his departure in 2023, Mathoho embodied defensive leadership and consistency, cementing his place among the club’s modern icons.
The shirt was later passed to Mduduzi Mdantsane, but it remains closely tied to Mathoho’s long spell at the heart of Chiefs’ backline.
Now, in a rare switch, the number has moved from defence to attack, with Mayo tasked with giving it a new identity. Known for his clinical eye for goal, versatility in the final third, and ability to thrive under pressure, Mayo brings with him the promise of a new era for Amakhosi.
His arrival comes at a crucial time, with Chiefs determined to end their long wait for major silverware.
The club’s faithful will be hoping that Mayo, who has already proven his quality in the PSL during his time at Cape Town City, can become the reliable frontman they have been searching for.
Taking on a jersey so strongly tied to Chiefs’ history adds weight to the challenge, but Mayo is no stranger to pressure.
If he can deliver goals in key moments, the No.3 could take on a completely new meaning at Naturena – one defined not by defensive grit, but by attacking brilliance.