January is the only month which enables clubs to sign players mid-season.
With South Africa’s three big clubs struggling to hit top form, expect some surprise signings.
Big spenders, Mamelodi Sundowns are likely to stage the biggest coup.
With the club going through a mid-season crisis, club president Patrice Motsepe has seemingly run out of patience with the current situation and fans can expect major changes at Sundowns.
The two-time defending champions are currently lying in unfamiliar territory occupying 11th spot on the log, having played 15 games.
Under pressure club coach, Gordon Igesund has been constantly moaning about a striker and Motsepe’s intolerant of mediocrity might grant Igesund his wishes.
After the unceremonious departure of leading Venezuelan goalpoacher Jose Torrealba, the club was left crippled in the striking department.
Current Brazilian strikers, Lerato Chabangu, Peter Ndlovu, Patrick Apataki and Shakes Ngwenya have not been able to hit the back of the net consistently, causing a goal drought at Downs.
The lanky Lungisani Ndlela and Tyren Arendse have spent more time on the stands than on the playing field.And, Surprise Moriri, the club’s goalscoring machine for the last two seasons, has yet to show the same form he displayed in the last 18 months.
Part of Moriri’s inability to score goals can be attributed to the absence of Torrealba, a player who could take two or more defenders at once and thus create space.
Slick Golden Arrows midfielder Papi Zothwane has been linked with a move to Sundowns despite strong denials from the player.
Zothwane, who was dropped from Bafana Bafana after a disastrous performance at Newlands against Zambia, is regarded as one of the country’s top central midfielders.
But Sundowns seem to have more than enough cover in that department with Esrom Nyandoro and Godfrey Sapula seemingly indispensable.
Igesund has hinted that Sundowns might cast their nets outside from the country.
At Naturena, Muhsin Ertugral is bound to ask his chairman for a blank cheque.
Since the Turk returned at Chiefs, Amakhosi are yet to play the type of football that made Chiefs strike a coveted one among PSL teams.
The problem at Chiefs seems to be lack of quality players.
Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates haven’t shown their hand yet although coach Owen Da Gama has told snl24.com/kickoff that he has submitted his mid-season shopping list to club boss Irvin Khoza.
Ajax Cape Town boss John Comitis discloses that he won’t be going on transfer but intends promoting two youngsters from the team’s development.
Commitis added that his team is set release midfielder Coburn Woodington and striker Simphiwe Pama to Supersport United and First Division Hanover Park, respectively
“The deal for Corburn is almost done with Supersport and we are going to loan out Siphiwe Pama to Hanover Park.
“We also still negotiating for reserve goalkeeper Grant Meyer also to go on loan to Hanover Park.”
Comitis added that the departure of Terror Fanteni will also not force him to look for a replacement.
“We have good strikers like Clinton Emmanuel, Andile Mbenyane, Russel Mwafulirwa and Nathan Paulse and I believe they will continue to do good job for the team despite the departure of Fanteni to Israel.”
