Football
Nick Said, Special to ESPN 7y

Top 10 moves in South Africa

There were some high-profile comings and goings in the transfer window in South Africa, with a couple of moves still to get over the line. KweséESPN round up our top 10 transfers involving South African teams.

RIVALDO COETZEE
Ajax Cape Town to Mamelodi Sundowns

Coetzee had outgrown Ajax Cape Town and needed a fresh challenge to keep progressing in his career.

A move to Glasgow Celtic broke down over a mystery foot injury, but he finally won his transfer to Sundowns for a reported R12-million, with Mario Booysen going the other way.

Coetzee, 20, still has much to learn but is a fine talent and playing in the CAF Champions League over the next few years will be of great benefit to him.

AMR GAMAL
Al Ahly, Egypt to Bidvest Wits

One of the more surprising transfers of the window, Gamal has joined Wits on loan from the Egyptian giants after he himself set up the move by making contact with the South African club of his own accord.

Gamal was unhappy with his bench role at Ahly and liked the style of football Wits play after coming up against them in the Champions League earlier this year.

He is the first Egyptian to play in the PSL and as a current international, brings back of experience and know-how. Is not just a good addition to the club, but the league too.

PHAKAMANI MAHLAMBI
Bidvest Wits to Al Ahly, Egypt

This deal is not quite over the line yet but is seen as a formality with Mahlmabi undergoing a medical at Ahly on Thursday ahead of signing a five-year contract.

The Egyptians are to reportedly pay US$1.3-million for his services and it will be fascinating to see how he settles in north Africa, both on and off the pitch. Mahlambi had an extended three-week trial at Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes, but was not signed.

One of South Africa's brightest young talents, the 19-year-old will be the first player from the country to play in the Egyptian league.

LEBOGANG MANYAMA
Cape Town City to Konyaspor, Turkey

Another deal that is subject to a medical but is 99.9 percent over the line, Manyama will get the chance to test his skills in Europe at Turkish side Konyaspor.

Manyama had been desperate to leave Cape Town City in the window with Mamelodi Sundowns long-term admirers, but their offer was below that of Konyaspor.

In fairness, Manyama, 26, had probably achieved as much as he could at City and was ripe for a move to try and advance his career further. Turkey is a good league to start in Europe and if he can excel, could make the step up to a bigger league sooner rather than later.

TEKO MODISE
Free agent to Cape Town City

Modise is not the player he was in his peak, but the former Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker still has much to offer, especially at a club like Cape Town City where his leadership will be valued too.

Modise has received a huge welcome from fans, his every touch met with enthusiasm so far, and he brings some genuine star quality to the side along with coach Benni McCarthy.

He may have lost a yard of pace, but his speed of thought and ability to pick a pass are still there, and he will be a valuable asset for the side this season.

BRIAN MWILA
Green Buffaloes, Zambia to Platinum Stars

Mwila is a rising star of Zambian football and for Platinum Stars to capture his signature is a massive coup for the modest North West province club.

The 23-year-old showed his prowess with a brace of goals in Zambia's excellent 3-1 home victory over powerhouse Algeria in the FIFA World Cup qualifier on September 2, having also scored in victory against South Africa as well. He has five goals in his last five international appearances.

Tall and powerful, he will be a handful for opposition defences in the Premier Soccer League.

SIPHELELE NTSHANGASE
Black Leopards to Baroka

Ntshangase has long been tipped with a move to the top-flight in South Africa after four seasons at Black Leopards, and finally gets his chance at minnows Baroka.

It may not be one of the glamour clubs, but is a good place for the 24-year-old to start in his maiden season in the Premier League, when a good campaign will no doubt see him snapped up by a bigger side.

Tricky on the ball, he has fine playmaking abilities and also pitches in with his fair share of goals.

AYANDA PATOSI
Free agent to Cape Town City

Patosi has a history of poor decisions off the pitch but has shown in his first few games at Cape Town City just what an asset he can be in this campaign.

Fit and firing, he is one of South Africa's best players, with his dead-ball ability, vision and eye for goal.

Two goals in his last games is a great start, and he is likely to take over the mantle of the departed Manyama in what is actually his first ever season in the Premier League.

Patosi had gone straight to Belgian side Lokeren as a teenager from the ASD Academy in Cape Town where excelled on the field, but picked up a reputation as being not as dedicated as he should be off it.

The 24-year-old left Lokeren in April when the final few months of his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

STEVEN PIENAAR
Free agent to Bidvest Wits

Pienaar is much like Modise, a player past his prime but still with much to offer on the pitch and in terms of mentorship of younger players in the squad.

He will be used modestly by Wits, mostly off the bench, with his body not able to handle the rigours of playing too many 90 minutes back-to-back.

He has shown already that he still has the touches, though his teammates have yet to tune in to his wavelength. But when they do he will be a key player in the club's bid to retain their league title.

JABULANI SHONGWE
Bidvest Wits to Lamontville Golden Arrows

A loan move that flew somewhat under the radar but a massive coup for a club of Golden Arrows' stature.

Shongwe had fallen out of favour with coach Gavin Hunt at Wits, but that does not mean he lacks ability and he will certainly improve Abafana Bes'thende in this campaign.

The Bafana Bafana international may take some time to get back to speed after playing just twice for Wits in the last 12 months, but when he does will bring creativity and goals to his new club.

^ Back to Top ^