The Premier Soccer League’s transfer window for January has long closed, though clubs continue to announce departures and there is much uncertainty over the make-up of the squad at Moroka Swallows, who have refused to reveal their changes.
It was a quiet window by all accounts, many clubs are feeling the pinch financially and January traditionally is not a good month to buy and sell with a premium placed on the price of players.
We take a look at the confirmed movements ahead of the resumption of the DStv Premiership on Friday.
AMAZULU
Usuthu have been one of the more active teams, bringing in former striker Augustine Mulenga from Chippa United to add some firepower to the attack. The experienced Zambian blew hot and cold in his first spell with eight goals in 39 DStv Premiership appearances, so let's see how he goes second time round.
Usuthu have also brought in left-back Sifiso Ngobeni on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, at the same time releasing Sibusiso Mabiliso, who never found his groove in his second spell with the club. Also departed is defensive midfielder Tercious Malepe and left-winger Mxolisi Kunene, who barely featured in his two-and-a-half years at the club.
CAPE TOWN CITY
City have signed Namibia international playmaker Prins Tjiueza who impressed at the Africa Cup of Nations, though he limped out of the Brave Warriors’ final fixture in the Ivory Coast with what looked a nasty ankle injury.
Eric Tinkler’s side have returned Colombian forward Juan Zapata to his former club Colmenarez after just 12 months in Cape Town. Zapata was reportedly City’s most expensive transfer when he joined in January 2023, but never looked the part with one goal in 23 appearances. They also surprisingly let the experienced Thato Mokeke go this week, releasing him from his contract. With a paper-thin squad already, that is a bold move.
CAPE TOWN SPURS
Spurs have promoted teenage attacking midfielder Reece Braithwaite to their first team, though a relegation battle is a helluva introduction for a young player. What kind of game time he gets in the second half of the season remains to be seen, but clearly they feel they need extra bodies in the first team.
They have also brought in young English midfielder Tremaine Eastmond, once a junior at Burnley, Richards Bay right-back Katlego Maphathe and Tanzanian left-back Gadiel Kamagi, as well as midfielder Siphesihle Maduna. There has also been a return to the Western Cape for Mogamad de Goede after his ill-fated switch from Stellenbosch FC to Maritzburg United 12 months ago.
CHIPPA UNITED
Chippa have been busy on the out-going front, having sold Mulenga to AmaZulu, winger Thabiso Lebitso to Orlando Pirates and defender Zuko Mdunyelwa to Mamelodi Sundowns. Having briefly had a FIFA ban imposed on them, they have re-signed Cameroon forward Bienvenu Eva Nga from Pirates. They have, of course, also appointed new tacticians in co-coaches Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo, with Morgan Mammila moving to a technical director role.
KAIZER CHIEFS
It has been deathly quiet in the halls of Naturena with no reported incomings or outgoings in this window.
LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS
Abafana Bes’thende have signed free agent striker Kagiso Malinga after he left Moroka Swallows. He is a useful addition, and joins along with Zambia international forward Moyela Libamba from Forest Rangers. They have also dipped into the MTN Super League to sign centre-back John Mwengani from Kansanshi Dynamos and David Lukhele from South African second-tier side JDR Stars. They also re-signed midfielder Sibusiso Sibeko as a free agent in December.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
The Brazilians have seen their latest expensive acquisition come through the door with a reported €2.3-million (R47-million) paid for Argentine midfielder Matias Esquivel. The 24-year-old arrives from Lanus in his homeland and it will be interesting to see how he settles. South America has been hit and miss for Sundowns in the past, with successes, but also massive failures, in their dealings with the continent.
South African winger Tashreeq Matthews also arrives from several seasons spent in Sweden and is another eye-catching acquisition, while Thembinkosi Lorch moves over from Orlando Pirates. On paper it is quite the coup, but his form has bot been great for going on three years now, so we will see how it pans out.
Right-back Zuko Mdunyelwa has come in from Chippa United to take the load off Khuliso Mudau. Sundowns have also loaned left-back Ngobeni to AmaZulu, sent Katlego Mohamme to Sekhukhune United and released forward Gift Motupa.
MOROKA SWALLOWS
Goodness knows what is going on at The Birds as they look set to offload more of the 22 players they have already terminated contracts with. Though it now looks as though they will re-sign several of them, possibly on reduced terms. What we do know is that Tshegofatso Mabasa has had his loan spell cut short and he is back at Orlando Pirates.
Striker Kagiso Malinga has also left for Lamontville Golden Arrows. Where will they find players between now and the resumption of the league? Who would want to join them? Will they use their Diski team? Is coach Steve Komphela still in charge, he seems to suggest not? So many questions, but the club are providing no answers.
ORLANDO PIRATES
Pirates have made some significant changes to their squad, bringing in Thabiso Lebitso from Chippa, Thalente Mbatha on loan from SuperSport United, and recalling Tshegofatso Mabasa from his loan at Moroka Swallows. At the same time, the club has announced the departure of Cameroon forward Bienvenu Eva Nga, who is now a free agent, while Thembinkosi Lorch has gone to Sundowns.
POLOKWANE CITY
City have added experienced midfielder Cole Alexander to their squad after he returns from an overseas stint at Helsingborgs in Sweden under his former Kaizer Chiefs boss Stuart Baxter. It is a return to City for the 34-year-old, who previously played for them for two seasons between 2014 and 2016.
RICHARDS BAY
Relegation-threatened Richards Bay have brought in Malawi international striker Khuda Muyaba, who was previously a hit at Polokwane City before losing his way. He scored 24 league goals in 62 games for City, all in the second-tier, and will now try his luck in South Africa’s topflight. Richards Bay have been desperately short of goals this season, so will hope he comes off. They have also released Katlego Maphathe, who has signed for Cape Town Spurs.
ROYAL AM
With a FIFA ban on transfers in place, we did not expect any movement at Royal AM.
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED
Sekhukhune have concluded two signings in the former of Namibia international midfielder Edmar Kamatuka and Lesotho midfielder Teboho Letsema. However, it is not clear if they will be registered in this window or loaned out. The club appears to be still assessing them. They have brought in Katlego Mohamme on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns and sent winger Tiklas Thutlwa on loan to second-tier Venda FC.
STELLENBOSCH FC
The newly-crowned Carling Knockout champions have released winger Kgaogelo Sekgota after just six months at the club in which he made 17 appearances and had a hand in their cup success. It is a bit of a strange one. They have not announced any new signings.
SUPERSPORT UNITEDSuperSport have signed centre-back Keegan Allen from Moroka Swallows and have sent little used Thalente Mbatha on loan to Pirates in a slightly strange transaction. The latter will have an option to buy at the end of the season. Gift Motupa and Khama Billiat have both trained with the squad but have not been signed as yet.
TS GALAXY
Galaxy have not made any signings but have sold Serbian forward Vladimir Siladji to Sloboda Uzice just four months after he arrived. He made only three substitute appearances.