PSL transfer circus begins
THE December break presents Premier Soccer League teams with an opportunity to bolster their squads going into the second-half of the season.
In the latest transfer news in the PSL, Mamelodi Sundowns long-term target Aubrey Ngoma joined the Brazilians from Cape Town City yesterday.
His departure from City followed that of experienced striker Lehlohonolo Majoro, who joined struggling PSL champions, Bidvest Wits.
Danny Venter made the switch from Free State Stars to Golden Arrows, while Kaizer Chiefs announced their biggest signing in recent years, when they captured out-of-favour Sundowns lethal goal-poacher, Leonardo Castro.
Soweto giants Orlando Pirates signed two defenders from Chippa United in Diamond Thopola and Phetso Mphanga, with winger Thabo Rakhale penning a deal with the Port Elizabeth-based Chilli Boys.
Chippa United have also tied down former Jomo Cosmos players Linda Mntambo and Mxolisi Machupu.
On the coaching front, the Chilli Boys revealed former head coach Roger Sikhakhane as the new technical director and Tebogo Moloi’s assistant.
Cape Town City goalkeeper coach Calvin Marlin and the Citizens’ assistant coach Ian Taylor both left the team to join Ajax Cape Town and Chinese Super League outfit, Guangzhou R& F respectively.
Marlin has rejoined recently appointed Urban Warriors mentor Muhsin Ertugral, who is back for a fourth stint at the helm, replacing embattled Stanley Menzo earlier this month.
The transfer window will shut on Wednesday, January 31 at midnight and before that, there will still be a lot of player movements.
This is a crucial time of the season as it gives coaches an opportunity to reinforce and get rid of the players deemed to be surplus to requirements.
The new recruits will have to hit the ground running and immediately deliver for their respective teams or face the wrath of the fans, who at times can be unforgiving.
This becomes more so, especially if a player has been punted as the messiah of the team that would be expected to turn the team’s fortunes around.
Some of the new signings will prove to be strokes of genius from coaches and clubs but others might be contenders for the unwanted flop signings of the season tag, when the curtain comes down on the 2017-18 season on May 12.
This is the only time this season that teams have a chance to add to departments which need strengthening, so let us wait and see if teams will break the bank to secure the signatures of their targets.
May the best team be crowned as the PSL champions at the end of the season.