Chiefs are in the race

With the club desperately in search of silverware, having last won a trophy eight years and eight months ago, they have shown via their latest signings a desire to get back to their best. So far, Amakhosi have signed three players from Stellies with varying success. Apart from his injuries, Du Preez has shown that he can mix it up with the big boys in Gauteng and has been inspiring whenever fit. However, the same cannot be said for Kwinika. He had a bright start upon his Chiefs homecoming under Arthur Zwane – but a number of disappointing displays, particularly in big matches, saw him eventually lose his place. The defender didn’t feature much under Molefi Ntseki and has played second fiddle under Cavin Johnson, who seems to have found his winning formula, which doesn’t include the 29-year-old. As for Mthethwa, he has shown in glimpses what he is capable of, but the fact that he lost his place in Bafana Bafana following his move to Naturena tells you all you need to know about how he has progressed since making the switch at the start of the season. The Soweto giants have shown that they are willing to spend a transfer fee for a player who fits the club’s ambitions as in the case of Du Preez, Kwinika and Mthethwa, and it will be no different in the club’s pursuit of Stephens, Rayners, Maloisane, Basadien and Adams.

Sundowns to flex their muscle?

That they could spend R12 million on a player, in Mendieta, who had one year left on his contract speaks to the Brazilians’ ability to pull out all the stops to land their target. Siya sources have indicated that the club is keen on Basadien and Adams, both of whom fit into the mould they are looking for. The Siya crew understands that both Chiefs and the Downs have expressed an interest in Basadien, though the latter have dangled a bigger carrot in front of the former Moroka Swallows man. Adams, meanwhile, is said to have found a big admirer in Rhulani Mokwena, who has been following his progress. With the Tshwane giants believed to be keen on both players, you can expect them to stop at nothing – not even hefty price tags and a player or two in the mix – to land their targets.

Pirates on a mission of their own

To date, the Buccaneers have only signed one player from Stellenbosch, and that was Nkanyiso Zungu, whose career there sadly fizzled out. But Siya sources are adamant that the club is keen to change that. Having faced Barker’s charges on a number of occasions already this season, Pirates have had a first-hand experience of what the team is capable of. Rumours have been growing louder about the Houghton-based outfit’s increased interest in club captain Van Rooyen, who has been stellar at right back. Another player who has attracted interest from the club is Thabo Moloisane. He has found a new lease on life since joining Stellies and has been their mostused player this season. The coach has placed his full trust in the tough-as-nails defender and it’s easy to see why.

Stellies in full control

The Carling Knockout champions have learnt their lesson about tying down players to contracts. Back in 2021, they lost their talismanic striker and top goal scorer Rayners to SuperSport United on a free transfer, with the player penning a pre-contract with Matsatsantsa. Since then, they have remained firmly in control of player contracts, particularly those in demand. With five of their players, in Mendieta, Makhanya, Du Preez, Kwinika and Mthethwa, they have either managed to fetch a hefty transfer fee for the player, or exercised the option on their contract to ensure that they could be sold at a profit. As things stand, Stellies have Basadien, Van Rooyen, Adams, Rayners, Van Wyk, Maloisane on long-term contracts, with that of Stephens the only one to be resolved.