Chabab Riadhi de Belouizdad (CRB) striker Khanisa Mayo has no intention of departing the Algerian giants, despite being officially listed among the players deemed surplus to requirements ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The South African forward, whose future has been the subject of considerable speculation, has firmly rejected recent transfer approaches, making it clear that he wishes to remain at CRB and fight for his place in the squad.
Following a challenging debut season in Algerian football, where he netted just six goals in 41 appearances, Mayo is determined to prove his worth and silence his critics.
I am not leaving, Mayo reportedly conveyed to club officials, as he signalled his resolve to stay and establish himself in the coming campaign.
His stance has complicated CRB’s plans, as the club seeks to free up roster spots, particularly to accommodate incoming foreign players.
Adding to the impasse is Mayo’s contractual demand: the former Cape Town City striker insists on receiving a full year’s salary as compensation should the club wish to terminate his deal prematurely. This financial condition has been flatly rejected by the Belouizdadi hierarchy, who are already grappling with a bloated wage bill and are keen to resolve the situation swiftly.
The issue of offloading unwanted players has become a pressing concern for CRB management.
With several foreign signings in the pipeline, the club must first vacate existing license slots, a process now hindered by the unwillingness of certain players to depart on the club’s terms.
Sources close to the club indicate that CRB president Mohamed Bahloul plans to personally intervene in the matter.
Upon the team’s return to Algiers from their current pre-season preparations, urgent meetings are scheduled with the players in question, in a bid to reach amicable solutions.
Belouizdad’s ambition to restructure and reinforce their squad ahead of a pivotal season could hinge on how swiftly and effectively these contractual deadlocks are managed.
For Khanisa Mayo, however, the objective remains clear: to stay, compete, and rewrite his narrative in CRB colours. Whether the club will accommodate his persistence or escalate their efforts to negotiate his exit remains to be seen.
