CR Belouizdad rebuff swap deal for Khanyisa Mayo | OneFootball

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Belouizdad reject swap deal for Mayo

Photo: Khanyisa Mayo

CR Belouizdad have rejected an offer from fellow Algerian Ligue 1 outfit MC Oran for the services of South African striker Khanyisa Mayo, who has been subject to transfer speculation throughout the off-season.

The former Cape Town City talisman signed for the Chababists in August 2024, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal that is set to run until June 2027, despite reports linking him with a move to Kaizer Chiefs at the time.

In his debut season in Algeria, Mayo swiftly established himself as one of the important figures in the team, featuring in 41 matches across all competitions, while scoring six goals and providing a solitary assist in the process.

However, earlier this month, whispers echoing from North Africa suggested the player was deemed surplus to requirements at Belouizad, with head coach Sead Ramovic reportedly keen to offload him ahead of the new season.

As a result, MC Oran, along with CS Constantine registered concrete interest in acquiring the player’s services on a season-long loan as the Chababists were said to be open an exit to free up their foreign quota.

But according to a well-placed source close to the matter, the Algerian giants rejected Oran’s swap deal offer for Mayo, which would have seen Ghanaian forward Maxwell Baakoh move to the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, Foot Africa understands that Constantine never engaged in any formal talks for the 26-year-old forward, who now looks set to spend the upcoming 2025/26 season at Belouizdad, with the transfer window in Algeria imminently set to slam shut.

Ramovic’s men will kickstart their campaign with a visit from Paradou AC on Saturday, 30 August after their blockbuster season opener against Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger was postponed due to an influx of players from both teams representing Algeria at the CHAN tournament.