January transfer widow off to slow start

The January transfer window has got off to a slow opening week with just a handful of signings and moves.

Traditionally this is always the case as club owners and agents head back to work from the holiday season.

With a fulsome programme of matches in January, club owners and coaches will also take more time over deciding which positions need filling but it is likely only in the last week of the month that there will be a flurry of quick-fix signings.

“I don’t like January transfer window signings, they are never done for the long term benefit of the club,” said new Cape Town City coach Muhsin Ertugral this week, reflecting a view that several other coaches also have of the mid-season window

These are the deals that have been done so far:

AmaZulu: Sandile Mthethwa has moved from Orlando Pirates and former South Africa international Bongani Zungu been signed after not having his contract at Mamelodi Sundowns renewed at the end of last season. Zungu played his fist match for Usuthu in the 2-0 home loss to Sekhukhune United on Wednesday. AmaZulu are also to sign Elmo Kambindu from Chippa United, although this deal is not yet confirmed.

Cape Town City: Congolese defender Nathan Fasika has been re-registered with the club after returning from a loan spell at Valerenga in Norway. His first game back against Kaizer Chiefs saw him named man of the match and after the 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates on Wednesday, coach Ertugral was again full of praise for his ability.

Chippa United: An official announcement is still awaited but Kermit Erasmus is set for a swansong at the Gqeberha-based club. He left Orlando Pirates at the end of last season after his contact was not renewed and been without a club since. Chippa invited him to train last month and he has now signed back in his home town.

Tanzania international Gadiel Kamagi has had his contract terminated after six months. He impressed at Cape Town Spurs after joining them in January last year but at Chippa started only a single match.

Marumo Gallants: The Bloemfontein-based club have taken striker Sede Junior Dion and defender Yanga Mjoli on loan from AmaZulu for the rest of the season. Ivory Coast-born Dion spent two seasons at Gallants before moving to AmaZulu in mid-2022.

Mjoli was on loan at Pretoria Callies in the Motsepe Foundation Championship in the first half of the season.

Richards Bay: Relegation-threatened Richards Bay have sent Thandiso Buthelezi and Thabang Sibanyoni back to Mamelodi Sundowns. Buthelezi made only one start and two substitute appearances for the Rich Boyz while Sibanyoni did not score in seven league games in which he featured.