Recent signings – Too early to cast judgement

It is very tempting to cast judgement on new signings just a few months after arriving. However, we know that the Chloorkop-based side has quite a unique game model and acclimatisation to those new methods can take upwards of six months. The very early indications on the additions in the last two transfer windows are as follows:

Junior Mendieta

Whilst a huge talent, he is struggling for minutes and could have his route to game-time blocked even more after the business done this January.

Lesiba Nku

A smart addition to give some natural width to the squad and he has played well at times, but his minutes have started to dry up significantly.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa

What a signing by the recruitment team! The Brazilian looks born to play for, well, the Brazilians and he has scored and assisted goals constantly since the beginning of the season. He can arguably already be called a SUCCESS.

Thapelo Maseko

The talent, youth and pace is there to be a big success. He just needs to find a path to weekly starts in his best role as a winger. That isn’t always easy in the team’s narrow system.

Bathusi Aubaas

This addition came from nowhere, possibly on the back of an outstanding performance against Morocco for Bafana Bafana. Again, the key is regular minutes for him and also a consistent role. He has been seen as a defender at times and may not be technical enough to play for the Tshwane giants in midfield.

Matías Esquivel

Let’s wait and see. The R46.7 million price tag is enormous, but he should give quality and class to central midfield.

Zuko Mdunyelwa

With Thapelo Morena no longer seen as a fullback in the Sundowns system, they needed cover for Mudau in that hybrid, narrower role. Mdunyelwa looks a good fit and could become a gem like Grant Kekana and Mudau.

The former Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) man has been excelling in Scandinavia and comes

back to local shores as a 23-year-old. Tall, elegant and a brilliant ball-carrier, he could excel for the defending champions. His best position is a bit unclear, but perhaps playing an inside-left role behind Peter Shalulile is where he will shine and earn Bafana Bafana recognition.

Thembinkosi Lorch

The league’s Football of the Season in 2019, Lorch’s class is evident whenever he is fit. For Orlando Pirates, we saw big contributions in cup games and Soweto derbies. If the club can keep him focused and injury-free, he could be the man to eventually replace Themba Zwane, although age is not particularly on his side.