From Limpopo to Ulaanbaatar: Makhura's Journey to Mongolia

In recent years Mongolian clubs have been casting wider nets in their search for players. Despite a long history of foreigners successfully competing in the league, including many from Africa, Khovdyn Khuleguud may have made history when it announced the signing of Jonas Makhura on 1 October. Makhura, who hails from South Africa, may not just be vying to be the next of his compatriots to excel in Mongolia, but is likely the very first player from his country to appear in the league.

Makhura quickly debuted for the Broncos during the 2026 Interim League, suiting up against Deren FC three days later. He opened his scoring account just eighteen minutes into the contest, an eventual 3-3 draw. He would go on to score four more goals in as many matches to earn a place among the league's top scorers. With five goals in five matches, Makhura is currently tied for sixth in the golden boot race despite having played five fewer matches than his competitors.

Anyone how knows Makhura would not be surprised by his goalscoring ratio. He began his career with Tschwane University of Technology FC in 2018 and remained with the club for two seasons, becoming the team's top scorer over that time. The club competed in Varsity Football, South Africa's league for university teams, and the Limpopo Football Association League. Following his departure from the university side, he played one season for amateur side Academy Eagles FC.

Despite dropping to an amateur team, a local scout approached Makhura about his willingness to play in Europe after seeing how far he was above the players around him. Shortly afterward, the forward was on a plane to Europe for a stint with KF Australia. Although the club is now fully professional and known as FC Mitrovica, KFA was then an amateur club at which Makhura could be slowly introduced to European football following his arrival in January 2022. He tallied five goals and two assists in his eight appearances for the Kosovan club.

Following his departure from KF Australia, Makhura joined KS Iskra Łagów in Poland's lower leagues. He wasted no time resuming his scoring ways, finishing the season with eleven goals and seven assists in 18 caps. The following season, he moved to KS Partyzant Leszno higher in the Polish league system, but had to sit out the season because of difficulties with his paperwork. Despite the disappointment, he moved to AP Kotwica Kołobrzeg for the 2025/2026 season, again amassing an impressive scoring record of seven goals and and eight assists in fourteen appearances.

Makhura's move to AP Kotwica Kołobrzeg, however, almost did not materialize. After posting his highlight videos on Youtube, he was contacted by Khovdyn Khuleguud about coming for a trial ahead of the 25/26 season but could not because he was still under contract. When his deal with the Polish club expired, Makhura hopped on a plane to for a deal more than a year in the making and his first shot at top tier football.

When asked about the biggest adjustments he has had adapting to Mongolia and its football, Makhura gives common responses: the weather and physicality of play. Arriving as the Mongolian winter begins is a big change from Central Europe, let alone South Africa. In Africa, he says, the style is about speed and determination and in Europe the focus is on tactics and positioning. Mongolian football is all about physicality, toughness, and resilience.

For Makhura, playing first-tier football is just the beginning of his aspirations. He hopes to improve his fitness and health while earning a starting role with the club. If he continues to improve his performances, he hopes to continue his rise to higher leagues around the world and, despite never being part of South Africa's national setup in the past, his ultimate dream is to represent his country in the future.

Name: Jonas Mmamaite Makhura

DOB: 3 August 1998

Place of Birth: Senwabarwana, South Africa

Height: 1.87m

Position: Forward

Club Number: 78

Former Clubs:

2018-2020-Tschwane University of Technology FC

2021-2022: Arcadia Eagles FC

2022: KF Australia (8 caps, 5 goals, 2 assists)

2023-2024: KS Iskra Łagów (18 caps, 11 goals, 7 assists)

2024-2025: KS Partyzant Leszno (0 caps)

2025-2026: AP Kotwica Kołobrzeg (14 caps, 7 goals, 8 assists)

2026-2027: Khovd Khuleguud FC