DStv Premiership teams have begun beefing up their squads before the league returns to action on the 30th of December 2022
DStv Premiership teams have begun beefing up their squads before the league returns to action on the 30th of December 2022, following a month-long break due to the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar.
With the international tournament heading toward its conclusion, PSL teams are fine-tuning their squads for the second half of the season, with as many as six teams in the mix for the title race.
As expected, Sekhukhune United and Maritzburg United were quick to make managerial changes to take advantage of the break, giving the new men in charge much-needed time to assess their players and instill their philosophies. Sekhukhune, 15th on the DStv Premiership log, went for the safe option of bringing Brandon Truter back to management after AmaZulu FC dismissed him in October.
Bottom of the log, Maritzburg United followed suit by sacking John ‘Vuligate’ Maduka. His replacement is also a familiar face, Fadlu Davids, who joined after his short stint in Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow.
In terms of players, there’s been a bit of movement here and there, most notably the recent news of Craig Martin and Ndumiso Mabena joining Orlando Pirates, confirmed by the Sea Robbers today. Mabena, who’s been training with Pirates for months after his dramatic exit at Royal AM.
☠️ 📢 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 📢
— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) December 8, 2022
🏴☠️ Forward | Ndumiso Mabena
🏴☠️ Forward | Craig Martin
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This week, Stellenbosch FC confirmed parting ways with Judas Moseamedi after just 32 appearances for the club. On Thursday morning, they also confirmed the departure of Rafiq De Goede, who’s said to be headed to Maritzburg United. With the Team of Choice’s struggles in front of the goal, I wouldn’t be surprised if Moseamedi is also going back there, even though nothing has been confirmed yet.
Meanwhile, there hasn’t been much movement in the form of transfers in KZN, but this week Royal AM welcomed Samkelo Mgwazela and Sibusiso Magaqa, who were both in the books of AmaZulu FC. Royal AM hasn’t divulged what type of contracts both players are on but have confirmed they are now part of their team. While that’s confirmed, Royal AM still has a case to answer regarding Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic who has written to FIFA regarding his unpaid salary. Should they be found guilty, they could face a transfer ban.
There hasn’t been much movement at Kaizer Chiefs during this break, perhaps there might not be any, but with their rivals Pirates strengthening a team that has already won the MTN8 this season, we could see some movement at Naturena in the next two weeks. They have been linked with SuperSport United’s Luke Fleurs, but nothing has materialized yet, even though Amatsatsantsha CEO, Stanley Matthews, has confirmed their interest.
There has been little news coming out of Chloorkop either, with their coach Rulani Mokwena attending some World Cup games in Qatar to keep up with the latest tactical trends in modern football.
