The January transfer window is now a thing of the past, with a number of clubs taking the opportunity to beef up their squads.
There is no doubt about the clear winner – Mamelodi Sundowns have seemingly put an even bigger gap between themselves and their rivals with the acquisition of a number of top players that not only boost them, but weaken opponents.
SuperSport.com rounds up the business done by the 16 DStv Premiership clubs.
AMAZULU
Usuthu have strengthened their defence with the versatile Abbubaker Mobara, who was surprisingly made available by Cape Town City. They have also signed South Sudanese winger Abraham Majok, who is an unknown quantity. They should be stronger.
BAROKA FC
Baroka have signed only teenage attacker Ntiyiso Bombi from Limpopo rivals Marumo Gallants.
CAPE TOWN CITY
Arguably the big losers in the window, City have clearly tried to cash in some assets. They sold lead forward Fagrie Lakay to Pyramids FC in Egypt, Surprise Ralani to Mamelodi Sundowns, Mobara to AmaZulu and Nigerian attacking midfielder Abdul Ajagun to Sudanese side Al Hilal. The club also released Mozambican full-back Edmilson Dove, a stalwart with the team. They sent Shane Roberts and Douglas Mapfumo on loan. They have replaced Lakay with Venezuelan forward Darwin González in an interesting move, and also signed former Ajax Cape Town youth product Mogamat May. But that is it …
CHIPPA UNITED
The Chilli Boyz have signed a couple of outcasts from Royal AM in the form of Zimbabwe international defender Ronald Pfumbidzai and midfielder Siphelele Luthuli.
KAIZER CHIEFS
Chiefs had tried to sign Teboho Mokoena from SuperSport United without success but had no new arrivals at the club. They did, however, recall Keletso Sifama and Thabo Mokoena from a loan spell at Pretoria Callies.
LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS
Just a single signing for Golden Arrows as Lesotho international striker Motebang Sera is reunited with countryman and coach Lehlohonolo Seema. They did need an extra option up front.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
The Brazilians flexed their financial muscle once more with what is believed to be a domestic record deal to sign Mokoena from Tshwane rivals SuperSport United. He is arguably the hottest property on the local market. They also raided Cape Town City for Ralani, a long-term target, and have brought in the Bolivian international midfielder Erwin Saavedra, another exciting addition. They go from strength-to-strength.
MARITZBURG UNITED
Maritzburg lost star forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane to Minnesota United in the United States but have used that money to get in a number of new arrivals. Zimbabwean forward Tawanda Macheke and Zambian striker Friday Samu have arrived at the club, along with midfielders Genino Palace, Lucky Baloyi and Tumelo Njoti. They have also signed Cape Verde centre-back Steven Pereira and right-back Nicholus Lukhubeni. They should be stronger overall for the business done.
MARUMO GALLANTS
The Limpopo side have not made any additions to their squad.
ORLANDO PIRATES
The Buccaneers had no new arrivals in the window and look to be consolidating their squad.
ROYAL AM
For Royal AM it was more about the exits, they have released 15 players as they trim their squad having merged together their roster from last year with Bloemfontein Celtic players acquired in their purchase of the club. Thabo Matlaba was signed days after he ended his contract at Swallows FC, while there are a trio of arrivals from TS Galaxy – goalkeeper Marlon Heugh, winger Mokete Mogaila and Mxolisi Macuphu.
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED
Another club that has had a big overhaul of the squad in the window, they released nine players and have brought in four, including the Zambian duo of Justin Shonga and Rodrick Kabwe, as well as Zimbabwean forward Evans Rusike. They also signed free agent right-back Luckyboy Mokoena.
STELLENBOSCH FC
Stellies have been able to sign long-term target Juan Ortiz from Venezuela to add to their attacking armoury, and have also brought in defensive midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa from Black Leopards.
SUPERSPORT UNITED
Having lost their ‘big fish’ Mokoena, SuperSport have been weakened in the window. They did beef up the defence with a twin loan raid on Sundowns for centre-back Bangaly Soumahoro and left-back Sifiso Ngobeni. But is it enough?
SWALLOWS FC
No new arrivals for The Birds as coach Dylan Kerr looks to use what he has, but there have been two major exits in the form of the experienced duo of Vuyo Mere and Matlaba. They may be weaker on paper, but perhaps stronger on the pitch given the ‘pre-season’ Kerr has now had with the team in the long break.
TS GALAXY
There has been quite a shake-up of the Galaxy squad, with four players in and four out. Wingers Lefa Hlongwane and Orebotse Mongae have been signed, along with veteran full-back Mere. Attacking midfielder Roberts is on loan from Cape Town City.
Sourced from the PSL Website.
