‘Don’t come back until you do it’ – Mum’s tough love fuels Olwethu Makhanya’s Rangers trophy chase

Olwethu Makhanya could have walked away from football at 16, but his mother’s refusal to let him quit has helped propel him to the brink of a first major final with Rangers.

The South African defender had become so frustrated during an early search for opportunities in Johannesburg that he considered abandoning his football dream and returning home to Durban.

Instead, his mother delivered a simple but decisive message: finish what he had started.

That intervention proved pivotal.

Makhanya used the money he had saved for a journey home to fly to another South African city in search of an opportunity, eventually securing his first professional contract at academy level in Polokwane.

Six years later, the 22-year-old is a Rangers player and preparing for a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Celtic on Sunday, with victory potentially putting him just one match away from the first final of his career.

“If it wasn’t for my mum I don’t think I would still be playing,” Makhanya said.

From homesick teenager to Ibrox contender

Makhanya left his family home in Durban for the first time at 16, determined to pursue a professional football career.

The transition proved far more difficult than he had anticipated. After travelling to Johannesburg in search of a breakthrough, he endured unsuccessful trials with several clubs and began questioning whether football was worth pursuing.

He eventually called his mother and told her he wanted to return home and concentrate on education.

Her response changed the direction of his career.

“She just said, ‘you told me you were going there so don’t come back until you do it.’”

With no option but to persevere, Makhanya redirected the money he had intended to use for his journey home and travelled to Polokwane.

That decision eventually opened the door to professional football.

His rise has since taken him from South Africa to the United States and now Scotland, where he has quickly established himself as an important part of Derek McInnes’ Rangers side following his move from Philadelphia Union.

Rangers defender refuses to stop now

Makhanya’s impressive start at Ibrox has strengthened his belief that he belongs at the highest level.

He has brought composure to the Rangers defence and formed a promising partnership with Manny Fernandez, while also developing an understanding with the players around him.

“As for my form, I would say so far so good. I feel like I’ve been setting in well,” he said.

“To be honest, even before I came here, I always felt like I can play at this level, at a higher level.”

Rangers head into the Celtic clash on the back of four consecutive victories, including a dramatic stoppage-time win over St Mirren.

For Makhanya, that late victory was evidence of a team developing the mentality required to compete for honours.

Celtic clash offers first shot at silverware

The defender knows Sunday’s derby will carry enormous significance for Rangers and their supporters, but he is refusing to be distracted by the noise surrounding the fixture.

“Everyone understands what this fixture means, to the club, to the fans, everyone. So yeah, I’m really excited and looking forward to it,” he said.

Makhanya believes Rangers’ recent togetherness can provide the platform for another big performance.

“We showed a lot of togetherness and it’s something that we’ve been, working on,” he said.

“We need to try and do our job because we know that the fans are going to be behind us.”

After overcoming homesickness, failed trials and the temptation to quit as a teenager, Makhanya now has a chance to take another significant step in his career.

And this time, with his mother’s words still shaping his journey, quitting is not an option.