Cape Town City agree to loan Manyana to Mokotjo's ex-club in MLS ahead of 2025 Afcon finals

Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati have signed Cape Town City reserve team midfielder Xhosa Manyana.

The 19-year-old is a South Africa Under-20 international and has been signed on a six-month loan contract.

He will be turning out for the Cincinnati 2 side who play their trade in the MLS NEXTPro which is the reserve team league.

"FC Cincinnati 2 have acquired South African midfielder Xhosa Manyana via loan from Cape Town City FC of the Betway Premiership, South Africa’s top flight domestic league, the club announced today," the MLS side announced.

"Manyana will join the Orange and Blue pending receipt of an ITC and remain with the club through July 2025."

Young South African players have continued to leave for the MLS in recent seasons.

While Bongokuhle Hlongwane has managed to enjoy some game time at Minnesota United, the likes of Cassius Mailula, Njabulo Blom and Olwethu Makhanya have struggled in the USA.

This is after they leave the PSL as already established players but have their careers regressing in the MLS with some of them being sent to reserve teams.

Manyana will be hoping to be included in the final South Africa squad for the 2025 U20 Afcon finals in April.

Manyana will now try to impress his Cincinnati and have his contract converted from a loan deal into a permanent move.

Should he sign, he would want to catapult himself into coach Pat Noonan's first team and break the trend of South African players struggling in the MLS in recent years.