the five best SIGNINGS
IT can either be a hit or a miss with new players. In the era of free transfers and some overpriced recruits, here’s a prediction of how the top FIVE purchases in the Absa Premiership so far will fare at their new clubs.
Steven Pienaar Bidvest Wits
There’s honestly not a lot of football left in ‘Schillo’, but coach Gavin Hunt will know how to manage him and probably get the best out of the former Sunderland, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam midfielder. The 35-year-old veteran was apparently wanted by at least two other PSL clubs. It makes sense – he’s experienced, will be a huge influence in the dressing room and his creativity on the pitch is unquestionable. If he stays fit, Pienaar will be an incredible asset to the reigning league champions.
Ayanda Patosi Cape Town City
It’s disappointing that ‘Pato’ has returned from abroad before he’s even turned 25, casting a doubt on whether he can deliver on his potential. His debut, coming off the bench in the second half, in the 1-0 victory over Polokwane City in the quarterfinals of the MTN8 at the weekend suggests maybe he has it in him to close the chapter on his off the field antics, which were to his detriment at Lokeren in Belgium, and start afresh.
He still has to dispel the notion that he has a low work rate, which possibly cost him a place in the City starting line-up on Saturday – Sibusiso Masina getting the nod ahead of him and Thabo Nodada jumping him in the queue as well when Teko Modise pulled up injured minutes before the start of the match at the Cape Town Stadium. Patosi has a lot of critics, even those very well aware of his unbelievable talent, and it’s up to him to prove them wrong.
Oupa Manyisa Mamelodi Sundowns
Did Sundowns sign him two years too late from Orlando Pirates? His new coach Pitso Mosimane has poured cold water on that suggestion saying the former Buccaneers skipper is the ideal replacement for Modise (who joined City as a free agent) as a creative attacker for the Brazilians and also has the added advantage of being five years younger.
Manyisa has been a shadow of the player he was when he was a regular for Bafana at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, coincidentally at a time when Sundowns were prepared to break the bank to sign him, but Pirates did not accept any of their bids. He needs to revive his career and perhaps he can do it playing for the African champions.
Wayne Sandilands Orlando Pirates
Surprising that he left Sundowns, but his next destination made sense given the goalkeeping crisis at Pirates last season, where none of the three choices were able to make the No. 1 jersey their own. Sandilands is definitely worth the hype and has long deserved regular game time, but had for some bizarre reason settled to being second or third choice (depending on Mosimane’s mood) at Sundowns. He will need a couple of solid performances and clean sheets early on to stamp his authority between the sticks, that way guaranteeing that his arrival is the end of the club’s conundrum in the goal posts. Good signing if he can settle quickly.
George Lebese Mamelodi Sundowns
He says he has returned “home” being from Mamelodi and all. Hopefully that can help him pull up his socks. For several years now, the former Kaizer Chiefs winger has been threatening to wow the Premier League, but often fades before Christmas. A consistent Lebese has it in him to challenge for top individual honours and push for a return to the national team. He arrives at Sundowns as a replacement for Keagan Dolly and offers Mosimane’s side some much needed balance, but he’s going to have to improve his work rate and retreat from spending too much time on social media. He is worth the hype if he can use the quality around him at his new club to his advantage.