Defender Taariq Fielies was the final major move before the transfer window closed at the weekend, bringing to an end an extended period that saw much activity at its start in July but little in the final weeks.
But there was one major surprise during the last days as Kaizer Chiefs signed Stellenbosch midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa, adding some serious muscle to their ambitions for the season.
Stellenbosch said that Chiefs had activated a buyout clause in the player’s contract, paying the full proscribed fee in order to lure him away.
Fielies moved from Cape Town City to AmaZulu in another surprise, just before the window’s close on Friday night, hinting at behind the scenes problems with the player and the club, just days after Usuthu had secured Ben Motshwari on loan from Orlando Pirates.
Champions Mamelodi Sundowns had done most of their deals early in order to have all their new purchases available for the pre-season although Bathusi Aubaas’ move from TS Galaxy looked hastily arranged.
All of their other signings – Thapelo Maseko, Junior Mendieta, Lesiba Nku and Brazilian striker Lucas Ribeiro – all looked to have settled quickly.
Mthethwa is the latest in Chiefs’ bid to end over eight seasons without any trophy success. They had a busy transfer window with eight new signings all designed to bolster their chances. The best of them looks to be the Venezuela international Edson Castillo while Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Given Msimango having formed an immediate centre back pairing, but the jury is still out on Colombian striker Jasond Gonzalez.
Of Pirates’ new players, only Patrick Maswanganyi, who moved after an impressive debut season at from SuperSport United, has forged a regular spot in the starting line-up.
Cape Town Spurs have been heavily criticised for their failure to significantly beef up their squad after promotion, and after seven successive defeats it is a decision their owners might yet come to regret.
Royal AM are currently under a transfer ban by Fifa for failing to pay former player Samir Nurkovic, so have been unable to register any new players for this season.
ALL THE SIGNINGS
AMAZULU: Victorien Adebayor (RS Berkane, Morocco), Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City)Rowan Human (Maritzburg United), Wayde Jooste (Maritzburg United), Victor Letsoalo (Sekhukhune United), Mondli Mbanjwa (Uthongathi), Mfanafuthi Mkhize (Uthongathi), Ben Motshwari (Orlando Pirates, loan) Celimpilo Ngema (Marumo Gallants)
CAPE TOWN CITY: Thabiso Kutumela (Mamelodi Sundowns, loan), Tshegofatso Nyama (TS Galaxy), Jo Paciencia (InterClube, Angola), Ramazani Tshimanga (JS Groupe Bazano, DR Congo)
CAPE TOWN SPURS: Shaquille Abrahams (Chippa United), Neil Boshoff (Richards Bay), Keagan Buchanan (AmaZulu), Nicolus Lukhubeni (Mamelodi Sundowns, loan), Siyanda Msani (Mamelodi Sundowns, loan), Riyaaz Nell (Marumo Gallants), Sam Ramsbottom (Edinburgh City, Scotland), Dylan Stoffels (Pretoria Callies)
CHIPPA UNITED: Andile Fakude (All Stars), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Pretoria Callies), Craig Martin (Orlando Pirates), Ronaldo Maarman (Orlando Pirates), Baraka Majogoro (Mtibwa Sugar, Tanzania), Thabo Maloa (All Stars), Luvuyo Memela (Richards Bay), Goodman Mosele (Orlando Pirates, loan), Augustine Mulenga (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), Menzi Ndwandwe (TS Galaxy), Senzo Nkwanyana (All Stars), Kerwin Peters (All Stars)
KAIZER CHIEFS: Edson Castillo (Monagas, Venezuela), Ranga Chivaviro (Marumo Gallants), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (SuperSport United), Jasond Gonzalez (Real Santa Cruz, Bolivia), Mduduzi Mdantsane (Cape Town City), Pule Mmodi (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Given Msimango (TS Galaxy), Tebogo Potsane (Royal AM)
LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS: Bradley Cross (Maritzburg United), Tebogo Motloung (Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila), Olwethu Ncube (Hungry Lions), Lungelo Nguse (University of Pretoria), Angelo van Rooi (Hungry Lions), Brandon Theron (Maritzburg United), Ismail Watenga (Mamelodi Sundowns, loan), Nhlanhla Zwane (University of Pretoria)
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS: Bathusi Aubaas (TS Galaxy), Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United), Junior Mendieta (Stellenbosch), Lesiba Nku (Marumo Gallants), Lucas Ribeiro (Beveren, Belgium)
MOROKA SWALLOWS: Victor Bakah (Uthongathi), Andile Jali (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates, loan), Ntsako Makhubela (Orlando Pirates), Gabadinho Mhango (AmaZulu), Lantshene Phalane (Royal AM), Keenan Phillips (SuperSport United), Tshanini Falakhe (Uthongathi), Bongani Sam (Orlando Pirates, loan), Vusi Sibiya (Stellenbosch FC), Daweron van Rhyn (Upington City), Dumisani Zuma (AmaZulu)
ORLANDO PIRATES: Siphelo Baloni (All Stars), Melusi Buthelezi (TS Galaxy), Sphamandla Gumede (Dondol Stars), Lesedi Kapinga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Karim Kimvuidi (Maritzburg United), Cebo Mchunu (Bizana Pondo Chiefs), Katlego Otladisa (Marumo Gallants), Patrick Maswanganyi (SuperSport United)
POLOKWANE CITY: Oswin Appollis (Pretoria Callies), Francious Baloyi (Dondol Stars), Kgotsofalo Mabu (Dondol Stars), Douglas Mapfumo (Black Leopards), Given Mashikinya (Sekhukhune United), Tlou Nkwe (Pretoria Callies), Nyakala Raphadu (Pretoria Callies), Luciano van Heerden (Baroka FC)
RICHARDS BAY: Abdi Banda (Chippa United), Austin Dube (Kaizer Chiefs), Justice Figuareido (All Stars), Letsie Koapeng (Marumo Gallants), Boikanyo Komane (All Stars), Jackson Mabokgwane (Black Leopards), Nkululeko Miya (Umsinga United), Sinethemba Mngomezulu (Stellenbosch), Thato Mohlamme (Uthongathi), Lucky Mohomi (Marumo Gallants), Thobani Mthembu (Umsinga United), Nkanyiso Ndlovu (Umsinga United)
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED: Rally Bwalya (AmaZulu), Renaldo Leaner (Maritzburg United), Lebogang Mabotja (Marumo Gallants), Kgothatso Mariba (Venda FC), Vincent Mashego (promoted), Siphesihle Mkhize (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kgomotso Mosadi (Casric Stars), Lehlohonolo Mtshali (All Stars), Ngoanamelo Rammala (Casric Stars), Mbhazima Rikhotso (Royal AM), Matimu Tshabalala (Black Leopards), Tiklas Thutlwa (Black Leopards), Jamie Webber (SuperSport United)
STELLENBOSCH FC: Salifu Colley (Real de Banjul, Gambia), Oscarine Masuluke (Baroka FC), Thulani Mini (Chippa United), Thabo Moloisane (Maritzburg United), Basil Mphahlele (Baroka FCAnicet Oura (ASEC Abidjan, Ivory Coast), Genino Palace (Maritzburg United), Kgaogelo Sekgota (Kaizer Chiefs), Olivier Traore (Marumo Gallants)
SUPERSPORT UNITED: Risen Albert (Highlands Park), Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Orlando Pirates), Abdulrazack Hamza (Namungo FC, Tanzania), Etiosa Ighodaro (Mamelodi Sundowns, loan), Phathutshedzo Nange (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronaldo Pfumbidzai (Chippa United), Siyanda Xulu (Turan Tovuz, Azerbaijan)
TS GALAXY: Latif Bamba (Sagrada Esperanca, Angola), Thamsanqa Gabuza (SuperSport United), Samkelo Kabini (Orlando Pirates), Thato Khiba (Marumo Gallants), Solomon Letsoenyo (Stellenbosch FC), Lehlogonolo Mojela (Casric Stars), Mpho Mvelase (Marumo Gallants), Fiacre Ntwari (AS Kigali, Rwanda), Samir Nurkovic (out of contract), Thabang Rakwena (Casric Stars), Thabang Semache (Casric Stars), Higor Vidal (Persebaya Surabaya, Indonesia)