Phakaaathi.co.za Celtic the big transfer movers
Thembinkosi Sekgaphane
The signings made ahead of the start of the 2017/2018 season have been slow but are expected to peak towards the end of August when the transfer window slams shut.
Although there have been a few notable signings, there has not been that much excitement yet. Bidvest Wits have made two notable signings in securing the services of two returning Bafana Bafana stars from Europe in Steve Pienaar and Daylon Claasen after their respective clubs chose not to retain them after their contracts expired.
Bloemfontein Celtic have won the numbers game over the past week, bringing in eight new players as coach Veselin Jelusic aims to rebuild his squad. The three latest signings are striker Roggert Nyundu and midfield pairing Ali Abondo and Jacky Motshegwa who agreed to two-year deals with the green and white side from the Free State. Abondo and Motshegwa joined as free agents while Nyundu returns after spending a season on loan at AmaZulu in the National First Division.
Phunya Sele Sele made two key signings at the start of last week, welcoming Kaizer Chiefs free agent Lucky Baloyi and Given Mashikinya. The latter was part of a swap deal between Cape Town City and Celtic that saw Lyle Lakay move to Cape Town with Mashikinya signing for his third team in as many seasons.
Benni McCarthy’s Cape Town City have bolstered their squad in two unknown Capetonians with youngster Craig Martin signing his first professional contract and 25-year-old defender Taariq Fielies joining his hometown team from Milan United FC.
AmaZulu traded their NFD status for the Absa Premiership last month, however that didn’t stop striker Lucky Nguzana from jumping ship to play for Limpopo side Baroka FC where he has put pen to paper on a two-year contract. Nguzana was formerly with Golden Arrows and African champions Mamelodi Sundowns and going on to make his mark at Usuthu before arriving in Polokwane to join Bakgaga.