By Michael Madyira
The Premier Soccer League January transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday night.
Some teams moved quickly in the market, others, such as Mameldi Sundowns, couldn’t seal any deals and signed nobody.
Here are the winners and losers of the mid-season transfer window.
Winners
Maritzburg United were at the bottom of the standings when league action resumed after the 2022 Fifa World Cup break, but are now five points clear of bottom side Marumo Gallants.
Maritzburg started rising in January following the arrival of Wayde Jooste, Bradley Cross, Kwame Peprah and Rafiq De Goede, although some are yet to start playing.
Orlando Pirates – The Soweto giants mainly focused on their problematic strikeforce and brought in Souaibou Marou, who was with Cameroon at the World Cup. Although Marou is yet to make his debut, he looks like a big catch.
Swallows FC – The Dube Birds are arguably the biggest winners after Fifa lifted their player transfer ban.
Although the transfer sanctions were removed towards the closure of the window, they rushed to sign free agents Evans Rusike and experienced goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi in what looks like good business.
Swallows also secured the signature of Pirates utility player Bongani Sam on loan.
Losers
Kaizer Chiefs – Having conceded 21 goals in 18 league games, Amakhosi’s defence has been a major concern but coach Arthur Zwane did nothing about it except signing SuperSport’s Thatayaone Ditlhokwe on a pre-contract.
Ironically, their defenders were committing costly errors in January in the middle of a transfer period.
The Soweto giants also did not directly replace defensive midfielder Njabulo Blom, who left to play in the Major Soccer League and they also need a creative midfielder.
Marumo Gallants – Bahlabani ba Ntwa are languishing at the bottom of the standings and they were quiet in the market.
They signed just one player in forward Judas Moseamedi who was struggling for game time at Stellenbosch.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs new striker Christian Saile Basomboli
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
