Some transfers really paid off
SOME clubs are better than others in getting things right in the transfer market and the most expensive buys are not always the best.
Times Media Digital picks out out the Top 10 Transfers of 2016.
1) Lebogang Manyama (SuperSport United to Mpumalanga Black Aces/Cape Town City)
Manyama was only on loan at Mpumalanga Black Aces last season but made that move a permanent one in May when they extended his stay by another 12 months.
Ironically‚ Manyama did not play another game for the club as he sat out the remainder of the campaign with three broken toes‚ but his transfer has been of huge benefit to Cape Town City.
The attacking midfielder has been sensational for City‚ captaining the side to the top of the league and the Telkom Knockout trophy‚ and scoring nine goals in all competitions.
2) Thabo Mnyamane (University of Pretoria to SuperSport United)
It was a move that went through with little fanfare in July when SuperSport United announced they had signed forward Mnyamane from National First Division (NFD) side University of Pretoria.
But it is looking like one of the deals of the year as Mnyamane has grown as the season has gone on and is now one of the most exciting players in the league.
3) Thokozani Sekotlong (Cape Town All Stars to Free State Stars)
It is incredible to think Sekotlong was playing in the NFD last season at Cape Town All Stars given the quality of his play in the top-flight with struggling Free State Stars.
The 25-year-old‚ who previously had spells with Maritzburg United and University of Pretoria‚ has been a revelation‚ scoring some Goal of the Season contenders already.
He has six goals in his last 10 matches‚ a great return in a team that are genuine relegation contenders.
4) Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns to Witbank Spurs‚ loan)
When Percy Tau looks back on his career he may well reflect that it was his loan move to NFD side Witbank Spurs in January that provided the spark he needed.
Tau was nowhere near the Sundowns first team and was low on confidence‚ needing games under his belt to find his form.
A move to hometown club Spurs provided that platform and after some stunning performances for them‚ he came back to Chloorkop a much improved player.
The rest is history. He is now an African Champions League winner and scored a magnificent goal at the Fifa Club World Cup.
5) Ricardo Nascimento (Académica de Coimbra‚ Portugal to Mamelodi Sundowns)
The Brazilian centre-back has become a fixture in the Sundowns defence in the last few months.
He shows excellent game awareness and is strong in the tackle.
6) Sifiso Hlanti (AmaZulu to BidVest Wits)
Hlanti scored on debut for BidVest Wits in February in a 1-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows.
He earned a call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad‚ making his debut in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Cameroon in March.
Wits have only lost three of the 22 league matches he has played in during 2016 and none this season.
7) Reneilwe Letsholonyane (free agent to SuperSport United)
Letsholonyane did not have his contract renewed at Kaizer Chiefs at the end of last season and how the AmaKhosi have missed him.
The 34-year-old has shown there is life in those old legs still with some typically commanding box-tobox displays that have included great tackles‚ goals and assists.
8) Mark Mayambela (free agent to Ajax Cape Town)
There were a few eyebrows raised when Ajax Cape Town signed Mayambela‚ who had been shown the door at SuperSport United the previous season.
But the 29-year-old has put in some mesmerising displays for the Urban Warriors.
9) Roland Putsche (Wolfsberger AC‚ Austria to Cape Town City)
The Austrian midfielder took time to get up to speed in the PSL but once he hit his straps has been influential for Cape Town City‚ having arrived from top-flight club Wolfsberger AC in his homeland.
He has been superb for the team in their current run of form that includes winning the Telkom Knockout and has even started to chip in with some goals.
10) Lebohang Maboe (Mbombela United to Maritzburg United)
Maboe was excellent in helping NFD side Mbombela United into the PSL’s promotion/relegation play-offs last season, so it was a surprise when Maritzburg United won the race for his signature.
And he has not disappointed, with some superb displays in a team that has at times struggled this season.
It took him to October to win his place‚ but since then he has been a fixture, and scored his first goal in a 2-1 away victory at Ajax Cape Town last month. — TMG Digital