For a while, Makhanya looked like one of those players praised in theory but overlooked in practice. The report says he stayed calm through that spell, even as his progress at club level gathered pace. That matters for a centre-back: selectors often want readiness, not just promise.
“Vou jogar o meu jogo e tentar mostrar meu talento,” Makhanya said. It is a simple line, but it fits the path he appears to have taken - no drama, no noise, just a defender building trust week by week.
His rise also reopens a familiar debate in South African football: how MLS is viewed. For years, the league has seemed to sit in an awkward space - respected by some, dismissed by others. The report says that tension was part of the background to Makhanya’s wait.
That is why this story feels bigger than one squad call. If Makhanya has broken through on the back of strong performances in the United States, it chips away at the old idea that MLS form counts for less. The league may not win every argument, but it keeps producing players who are sharper, quicker and more battle-tested than the stereotypes allow.
The next step is the biggest one. South Africa are due to open their group against Mexico, then face Czechia on 18 June and South Korea on 24 June. Whether Makhanya starts or arrives as depth, he suddenly looks like more than a fringe name.
“Significa muito para mim,” Makhanya said. The coming days will show whether this long-awaited chance becomes a squad role - or the start of something much bigger.