The Premier Soccer League (PSL) January transfer window officially closed on Thursday, and now all the teams and players are focused on what is expected to be a gripping second half of the Betway Premiership season.
This was yet another busy and entertaining January transfer window, which saw players, coaches, and even club officials switching sides in search of greener pastures.
As expected, Mamelodi Sundowns were busy in the market and brought in players who will undoubtedly add some quality to their side. Orlando Pirates were also just as busy, as they also added some more sauce to what coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is cooking.
Kaizer Chiefs, on the other hand, clearly did not see a need to add more firepower to their squad, despite games coming thick and fast and the club participating in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Sunday World takes a brief look at some of the January signings that will prove crucial in the second half of the season.
Monnapule Saleng (Pirates to Sundowns)
One would not be shooting blanks if they said Mamelodi Sundowns have been owning the PSL January transfer window in recent years, as they once again managed to lure a big-name player to Chloorkop this season.
Similar to last season, when Thembinkosi Lorch made a surprise switch from Pirates to Sundowns, the reigning league champions were at it once again as the signing of Saleng was one that no one saw coming.
Saleng is yet to feature for Sundowns, but his first appearance in the yellow and blue is one that the entire South African football fanbase is fervently waiting for.
Tshegofatso Mabasa (Pirates to Stellenbosch)
Inasmuch as his move from Pirates was looming, Tshegofatso Mabasa’s switch to Stellenbosch as early as January was one that no one expected, especially because he is still edging closer to breaking that longstanding all-time leading top goal scorer record by Bennedict “Tso” Vilakazi.
Mabasa made a dream start as a Stellies player when he walked straight into the team just days after being unveiled by the club and scored a crucial goal that secured them three points against Sekhukhune United.
Andre de Jong (Stellenbosch to Pirates)
After several months of speculation, the Buccaneers finally landed the signature of their target, Andre de Jong, who comes joins the club as a replacement for Mabasa.
De Jong comes in at a crucial stage of the season, as the Sea Robbers are looking to take the league title race down to the wire and hope to clinch it from Sundowns.
Lebogang Phiri (Sekhukhune)
After several months of uncertainty, training alone, and knocking on doors, Lebogang Phiri finally landed himself a place he can call home in the PSL at Sekhukhune.
Phiri, who spent most of his football career in Europe after his short spell at Bidvest Wits, joined Babina Noko this January as a free agent after his desired move to Chiefs collapsed last year.
The 31-year-old versatile midfielder has been gradually introduced by Sekhukhune coach Eric Tinkler in the last couple of matches and is expected to add a lot of quality in the second half of the season.
Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy to Sundowns)
Young, bold, cool, calm, and already a full-fledged Bafana Bafana international, Khulumani Ndamane is expected to fit in the Sundowns system like a hand in glove with the qualities that he possesses.
The lanky 21-year-old centre-back has already made his full debut for the Brazilians, a performance that left many of the Masandawana supporters satisfied and excited about what he will add to the star-studded team.
