All the South African transfer news from the past week, up to the 29th of August.
National First Division club Chippa United have decided to retain Brent Carelse after reaching an agreement with the veteran midfielder on Tuesday. Chippa were initially open to allowing Carelse to leave for free if any PSL outfit came knocking for his services. However, new Chilli Boys CEO Peter Koutroulis has revealed coach Mark Harrison pleaded with him to keep the 32-year-old ex-Ajax Cape Town man on their books.
 |
| Tendai “Twin” Ndoro |
Mpumalanga Black Aces are closing in on the signing of Zimbabwe’s PSL leading scorer Tendai “Twin” Ndoro after the lanky striker made a huge impression during trials. Ndoro arrived at Aces last week after being allowed to leave The Warriors camp, where he was part of the squad preparing for the return leg of the CHAN final qualifier against Zambia. The gangly old school number 9 has already scored 11 goals just past the halfway stage in Zimbabwe’s top-flight for modest club Chicken Inn.
Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed their interest in Ugandan central defender Ivan Bukenya. The defender was expected at Naturena for an assessment, and Chiefs’ football manager Bobby Motaung says there is a possibility they may sign him. “We are interested in the player,” he tells the club’s website. “But the technical team still need to make the final call. We hope to make the decision in the next few days. As we said in the past, we will be making additions in areas where we realise the need.” The 21-year-old currently plays in the Iraq Premier League for Ebril FC.
Ajax Cape Town are expected to make two more signings before the close of the transfer window this coming weekend. The Urban Warriors have already enlisted striker Eleazar Rodgers from Mamelodi Sundowns and Mozambican attacker Stelio Marcelino Ernesto. Club boss Ari Efstathiou has revealed a decision on whether to recruit former Sundowns midfielder Bongane Twala. “We have signed the boy from Mozambique. We are still assessing Twala. We are not in a rush because he is free,” said Efstathiou. “We are going to make two more signings before the close of transfer window period.”
Mamelodi Sundowns are working on sending new signing Therlo Moosa out on loan to National First Division club Vasco da Gama. Moosa recently penned a five-year deal with Sundowns after being spotted in the SAFA SAB League national championships but is poised to ply his football elsewhere for now. The teenage striker is currently training with Vasco where he is expected to seal a temporary switch before the transfer window closes on Friday. Downs are already in discussions with Vasco regarding terms for the 18-year-old.
 |
| Tlou Molekwane |
Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has confirmed that Tlou Molekwane has joined Polokwane City on a permanent deal. The former Kaizer Chiefs leftback struggled to break into Wits’ starting XI last season, and with Hunt now having signed Onismor Bhasera, the tactician is happy with the options in that department. “Tlou is gone to Polokwane City. It’s not a loan deal, he has moved there permanently. I don’t know for how many years, but he has left us,” says Hunt.
Zimbabwean midfielder Tafadzwa ‘Fire’ Rusike is on trial at Moroka Swallows as the club continues to assess players to potentially sign before the transfer window closes. Rusike, whose contract was not renewed by Ajax Cape Town at the end of last season after three years at Ikamva, has made a positive impression at Swallows. “He is a good player and is one of the options that we are looking at,” says Dube Birds coach Zeca Marques.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ duo Emmanuel Baffour and Mumuni Abubakar will no longer move overseas and look set to join PSL clubs instead. The Ghanaian internationals were meant to head to Switzerland and Belgium-based outfits respectively but both deals fell through after all parties failed to agree on financial terms. “The biggest problem here is that the two players are earning of a lot of money at Sundowns that small European clubs are refusing to pay,” says a Sundowns official. “The players are refusing to take a pay cut and would rather stay at Sundowns.
 |
| Tawfeeq Salie |
Maritzburg United have signed former Vasco da Gama goalkeeper Tawfeeq Salie. Salie, who played for Cape Town All Stars last term, has penned a three-year deal with the Team of Choice. United commercial manager, Younus Kadodia, is confident the 22-year-old will prove his worth. “The goalkeeping department has seen a lot of change this season with Arthur Bartman taking over as the goalkeeper coach and we believe that Salie’s signing is a positive one, especially with him having gametime at Vasco da Gama in the National First Division last season,” Kadodia told the club’s official website.
National First Division side Baroka FC have welcomed Mpho Maleka to the club. Baroka coach Sello Chokoe confirms the arrival of the veteran striker. “He has signed a one-year deal,” says Chokoe. The 35-year-old played for Moroka Swallows last season.