Ngcongca set to make PSL bow

The last day of the transfer window saw Mamelodi Sundowns finally land Anele Ngcongca on a four-year contract.

The last day of the transfer window was characterised by clubs tying up loose ends in deals that they have been chasing for some time.

Mamelodi Sundowns finally landed Anele Ngcongca on a four-year contract.

The Bafana Bafana defender joins from Belgian side Genk as a direct replacement of Ramahlwe Mphahlele who left Chloorkop for Naturena when he signed with Kaizer Chiefs.

This will be the first time that Ngcongca will play in the country's Premier Division after he left as a first division player at FC Fortune for Belgium nine years ago. Sundowns signed the 28-year-old with a vision for the future, as he will bring a wealth of experience when they return to the CAF Champions League next year. But first, he will help the side remain competitive in the domestic front as coach Pitso Mosimane is contemplating fielding two teams.

“It doesn’t really help to sign players for the local league. We have enough of those.

“You know the (huge) numbers that we had before. I don’t want those numbers again. I think we have about 22/23 outfield players and four goalkeepers. You don’t want a lot of people in the stands.”

Mosimane wants all his players to be active and their schedule will allow for that.

“There are a lot of games that we will play this month. If the PSL doesn’t move some of our games, then I will have to play the other players (who aren’t registered in the Champions League) in the league and those players must deliver,” Mosimane said.

Ngcongca, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Ricardo Nascimento and Yannick Zakri are the new signings that must deliver on the domestic front as they aren’t registered in the continental tournament. Only Lucky Mohomi is registered for Africa's premier club knockout competition.

Bidvest Wits have no such troubles of balancing local and continental aspirations - ¦well at least until February when they play in the Champions League after finishing second in the local league last season. They can unleash Sifiso Myeni there. The 28-year-old returns from Orlando Pirates with two continental silver medals from the Champions League and the Confederation Cup. Myeni rejoined the Clever Boys as a free agent after Pirates off-loaded him following his four years with them.

Luvolwethu Mpeta also went back home, the left-back being loaned by SuperSport United to Platinum Stars, the club they signed him from. Matsatsantsa also loaned out goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi to first division side Witbank Spurs. Sundowns’ Bonginkosi Ntuli returns to Dikwena on loan.

In the most talked about transfer that never materialised, Joseph Molangoane will stay at Chippa United after he lost his case at the PSL dispute resolution chamber. He had taken the Chilli Boys there, alleging his contract with the club had expired. That would have paved the way for him to move to Amakhosi. - The Star