The mid-season transfer window proved fruitful for many clubs in the PSL. SASoccerMag looks at 10 of the best. By Dylan Appolis.
Surprise Ralani – Cape Town City to Mamelodi Sundowns
The 32-year-old made a sensational move to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns from the Mother City, signing an 18-month contract with an option to extend. The Kimberley-born attacker brings a wealth of experience to the club, having previously plied his trade in Norway and Sweden, representing numerous clubs including Hassleholm, Helsingborg, Landskrona and Lyngby before returning to South Africa to join City in 2018.
Teboho Mokoena – SuperSport United to Mamelodi Sundowns
Teboho Mokoena parted ways with SuperSport United after spending six seasons with Matsatsantsa, where he scored 15 goals and assisted in 17 from 156 appearances across all competitions. The Bafana Bafana midfielder signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with an option of an additional year at Chloorkop. Mokoena enjoyed some success at SuperSport, winning won the Nedbank Cup trophy during the 2016-17 campaign before winning the MTN8 title the following season.
Darwin Gonzalez – Deportivo La Guaira to Cape Town City
Venezuelan forward Darwin Jesus Gonzalez Mendoza comes in to replace striker Fagrie Lakay, who left for the Egyptian club, Pyramids FC. The 27-year-old will help reinforce Eric Tinkler’s squad after the departures of Surprise Ralani, Abdul Ajagun, Edmilson Dove and Abbubaker Mobara. He joins a long list of South American players to have arrived in the PSL in recent seasons.
Juan Carlos Ortíz – Monagas to Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch signalled their intent during the transfer window by signing this highly-rated Venezuelan winger, who became the second South American player on Stellies’ books ,alongside Argentine star Junior Mendieta. The 28-year-old winger arrived at the Cape Winelands outfit after a stint with Venezuelan Primera Division side Monagas in which he scored 16 goals and grabbed nine assists in 32 appearances.
Justin Shonga – Ismaily to Sekhukhune United
Justin Shonga returns to the PSL with the hope of reviving his career after an unhappy time at the Egyptian Premier League side Ismaily. He spent three months there but, due to unpaid salaries, he was forced to leave the club. The Zambian international had spells with Orlando Pirates, Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Cape Town City before moving to the Egyptian side but the striker has committed himself to a contract that will see him remain at United until the end of the season.
Evans Rusike – Free agent to Sekhukhune United
Evans Rusike is another player looking to get his career back on track and rediscover his form with Sekhukhune after he was released by SuperSport United last season. The Zimbabwean international had without a team since leaving SuperSport and had not played any games until his signing. He kept fit by training on his own before Sekhukhune came knocking for his signature. He joins a platoon of countrymen at the club, including Willard Katsande, Talent Chawapiwa, Tapiwa Kapini, Blessing Sarupinda and Charlton Mashumba.
Vuyo Mere – Swallows to TS Galaxy
Veteran defender Vuyo Mere was expected to retire at Swallows FC but he cut ties with the Dube Birds after the relationship between the two parties soured. The 37-year-old’s contract was terminated with six months left on his deal. However, Mere found a new home at TS Galaxy, having previously turned out for Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Umoya United.
Erwin Saavedra – Bolivar La Paz to Mamelodi Sundowns
With Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento parting ways with Mamelodi Sundowns, the club wasted no time in filling the open foreign spot in the squad by acquiring the services of Bolivia midfielder Erwin Saavedra just before the transfer window closed. Saavedra, who scored 23 goals and claimed 20 assists in 93 appearances for Bolivar, became the Brazilians’ third major signing of the window.
Abbubakar Mobara – Cape Town City to AmaZulu
Abbubakar Mobara reunited with former head coach Benni McCarthy when he completed his transfer from Cape Town City to AmaZulu. The move was sought to fill the position of Siyethemba Sithebe, who signed a pre-contract with Kaizer Chiefs in July after the club failed to extend his deal. The 27-year-old opted for a move to Durban after becoming unhappy at the amount of game time he was getting under Eric Tinkler.
Thabo Matlaba – Swallows to Royal AM
Former Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba is back in the big time after joining Royal AM from Swallows FC. The 34-year-old, who made 40 appearances for Swallows, was one of four players to join the club in January, which includes Mxolisi Macuphu, Shaune Mogaila and Marlon Heugh from TS Galaxy.