Low-key end to the window

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

The last day of the Absa Premiership transfer window on Wednesday was not as exciting as many thought it would be, with the country’s big three teams – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns – having made their acquisitions ahead of the 2016/2017 season earlier, but there were some surprises along the way.

One was that of Bafana Bafana international leftback Aubrey Modiba (above) who made a last-minute move to Gauteng from Cape Town City to start his new career with Stuart Baxter’s SuperSport United.

City’s coach Eric Tinkler might have lost a quality player in the leftback, but with only one year left on his actual contract from Mpumalanga Black Aces, whose PSL status was bought by City, the player had to be let go after requesting a move back to Gauteng.

“He wanted to go back to Johannesburg and an opportunity for him to move back came by. He only had one year with him remaining on his contract with the club, so with the money from his sale we managed get Thato Mokeke on a season-long loan deal,” said Tinkler.

Another surprise move on the last day of the transfer window was that of defender Anele Ngcongca to Mamelodi Sundowns with Kaizer Chiefs having been reported to also be chasing his signature.

The defender admitted in an interview on the SABC last Wednesday that he had spoken to Amakhosi, but Downs were intent on luring him to Chloorkop.

“Yes I spoke to Chiefs, but Sundowns were more serious,” Ngcongca said.

Meanwhile, the return of Sifiso Myeni to Bidvest Wits also came as a shock to many.

The winger who was placed on the transfer list by Orlando Pirates in June and was heavily linked with a move to Chiefs, but Wits brought the Soweto-born player back to the club, having left the team as captain in 2012.