Sundowns swoop for Ngcongca

There were not many surprises and no drama as the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) transfer window drew to a close last night.

The last day of player registrations is normally marked with surprises as teams – both in the Absa Premiership and the National First Division – jostle for last minute registrations. But by late afternoon yesterday, there had not been much except for a few expected registrations made by Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pitso Mosimane’s side confirmed Bafana Bafana defender Anele Ngcongca’s capture. Ngcongca had long been linked with the Brazilians as he was seen as the right replacement for Ramahlwe Mphahlele, who joined Kaizer Chiefs in July.

Ngcongca was previously linked to Amakhosi, but his huge salary demands are said to have put the Soweto giants off.

Chiefs, who were expected to sign a few players to bolster their seemingly directionless team, didn’t make any new signings by late afternoon. Amakhosi’s unimpressive start to the season – they suffered a 2-1 league defeat to Bidvest Wits and knocked out of the lucrative MTN8 by Cape Town City – had the fans calling for some quality signings, but it seems their calls fell on deaf ears in Naturena.

Chiefs were expected to finalise the signings of Zimbabwean defender Teenage Hadebe and Black Leopards’ attacking midfielder, Siphelele Ntshangase, but nothing had materialised as the deadline loomed large.

Wits, who have become early favourites for the MTN8 title after beating both Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in a week, signed Sifiso Myeni for an undisclosed fee. Myeni was transfer-listed by Bucs early last month and his high salary demands were reportedly chasing away potential suitors.

Ajax Cape Town also confirmed Mark Mayambela and Lebogang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena as new additions to their arsenal, while Free State Stars signed Ugandan striker Hamis Kiiza.