PSL Transfers 2020/21 – Predicted Best and Worst Deals

Ahead of what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable DSTV Premiership season, we predict the 10 best and five worst deals across the league up to this point.

LAST SEASON

At the end of the 2019-20 off-season transfer window, six of the best and worst deals were predicted on this site. The six deals listed as expected to be major success stories were Jonas Mendes (Black Leopards), Daylon Claasen (Maritzburg United), Fortune Makaringe (Orlando Pirates), Samir Nurkovic (Kaizer Chiefs), Limbikani Mzava (Highlands Park) and Robyn Johannes (Stellenbosch FC).

These panned out relatively well with Nurkovic an outstanding addition, Johannes doing very well on his return to Cape Town and both Claasen and Makaringe excelling in midfield at their new clubs. Mzava was unfortunately injured for most of the campaign and Jonas Mendes started excellently but then faded badly and lost his place in the side.

Top 10 Transfers of 2020/2021

The six transfers predicted to flop were Mpho Matsi (Stellenbosch FC), Mogakolodi Ngele, Thuso Phala and Cuthbert Malajila (all Black Leopards), Thamsanga Sangweni (Maritzburg United) and Prince Nxumalo (Bidvest Wits). Without doubt, the final five were all epic flops and none even saw out the season at their new clubs and instead saw their deals terminated early. Matsi did an okay job on loan at Stellies but was far from a success story.

BEST SO FAR FOR 2020-21: PREDICTION

10. Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC to SuperSport United)

The speedy forward has arrived on a free transfer at Matsatsantsa and will give another really good option to Kaitano Tembo. He is capable of playing in a front two or as a left-winger and his speed on the counter-attack should mean he succeeds at SuperSport and takes his game to another level.

Supersport United PSL Season Preview 2020/21

9. Sibusiso Hlubi (Polokwane City to Maritzburg United)

Although he may need a few weeks to get up to speed after struggling to play consistently at Polokwane City, Hlubi has the tools to be a great addition. A very direct right-footed winger who can play on the left and cut inside to shoot at goal (and is something of a freekick expert), he should boost Eric Tinkler’s firepower. Maritzburg have been looking to bolster their wide areas for a few transfer windows and this deal looks like a good punt.

8. Solly Khunyedi (Bidvest Wits to Stellenbosch FC)

This is another very smart deal by Stellenbosch. The 20-year-old winger is said to have been on their radar since before lockdown and as a right-footed winger who can beat his man in one-v-one actions, he looks a very good signing for the counter-attacking game used by Barker. In a defensive 5-3-2 shape, he could be used as a split striker to lead counters and that role would suit him well.

PSL Talking Points Ahead of the New Season

7. Jose Ali Meza (Mamelodi Sundowns to Maritzburg United)

For over a year, Tinkler has been chasing his man and has now finally landed him. Meza was set to join the Team of Choice on loan for the 2019-20 season but his massive salary at Sundowns and some off-field issues put an end to that. He has now secured his release and taken a massive pay cut to make the move. Capable of playing upfront or on either flank, he gives a real workhorse, speedy presence in attack.

6. Ruzaigh Gamildien (Chippa United to Swallows FC)

Perhaps a surprise mention this high up the rankings, but he looks a good signing. He is capable of playing off the main striker, leading the line as a false nine or arriving in the box from wider areas, can finish well with both feet and is the sort of character who will revel in regular and consistent game time. It is a surprise that Chippa did not do more to keep him.

5. Terrence Dzvukamanja (Bidvest Wits to Orlando Pirates)

The Zimbabwean had gone under the radar at Wits but is a really good player. Capable of playing as a number ten, a false nine or inverted right-winger, the left-footer is an intelligent schemer who can link attacks and is even really good in the air. His signing for Pirates may have come out of the blue, but its’ a clever addition and it should mean that there is less reliance on Luvuyo Memela and greater competition for Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch.

Orlando Pirates PSL Season Preview 2020/21

4. Ricardo Goss (Bidvest Wits to Mamelodi Sundowns)

Last season, the former Wits ‘keeper was outstanding. Aside from making the number one jersey his own with top saves and a big personality between the sticks, he also showed himself to be one of the best distributors from goal in the PSL. His ability to play accurate long kicks is reminiscent of Itumeleng Khune and he should have every belief that he can usurp an ageing Denis Onyango and take the number one jersey at Downs.

3. Luvuyo Memela (Orlando Pirates to AmaZulu)

With the playmaker now advancing in years and perhaps no longer suiting the high intensity style at Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu stepped in to take him on board. Should he stay fit, he will create goals for a very goal-shy team if given freedom and a central number ten role. Although there is talk that Bongi Ntuli could be out injured for the foreseeable future, Memela should link well with Siphiwe Tshabalala and Siphelele Mthembu in attack. No player at Pirates assisted goals as often as him, so this looks like a real coup. Limbikani Mzava could also make this list again this year after joining Usuthu from TS Galaxy.

2. Kermit Erasmus (Cape Town City to Mamelodi Sundowns)

After not quite showing his very best at Orlando Pirates, Erasmus has been outstanding since returning to South Africa to play for Cape Town City. An exceptionally hard worker, someone with pace and great movement and the ability to score with both feet, he should deliver from the onset. Despite his height, he also scored several headers last season and is very capable of playing alone upfront in away CAF Champions League matches.

Kermit Finds His Heart At Cape Town City

1. Deon Hotto (Bidvest Wits to Orlando Pirates)

In such an exciting transfer window, there have been a few additions that look like bankers to succeed, not least Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thabang Monare, Peter Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba. Those four are too obvious to include as predicting them to do well isn’t interesting to anyone. However, such is the impact expected of Hotto that he simply has to be listed. Bucs have lacked an attacking midfielder who can put up big numbers of goals and assists regularly and Hotto looks to be that man, with Pule never delivering enough and Lorch seemingly distracted off the pitch. The Namibian could be a player of the season contender with his pace, crossing and shooting, plus he can play in numerous positions to help Bucs be flexible within matches.

WORST SO FAR FOR 2020-21: PREDICTION

Gift Motupa (Bidvest Wits to Mamelodi Sundowns)

The striker has a strong scoring record in recent seasons since moving upfront from a midfield role, but it’s hard to see how he will get game time at Sundowns. There are also doubts whether he has what it takes to make it at a top club.

Mothobi Mvala (Highlands Park to Mamelodi Sundowns)

Without doubt, Mvala is a highly effective player on his day. He has played everywhere from centre back to defensive midfielder to just off a frontline striker, but he is clearly at his best in a direct side who gets plenty of crosses onto his head. Few are as good at arriving late in the box to attack deliveries ala Marouane Fellaini or Tomáš Souček. It’s difficult to see how or where he fits into Sundowns’ style of play.

PSL Season 2019/2020 Stats Review

Oupa Manyisa (Mamelodi Sundowns to TTM)

Already been linked with an early release, “Ace” was a bizarre signing. He was brought on board so far in advance of the season that any new coach clearly had no say in the deal. He has also spent the last two years almost completely inactive and has had a serious Achilles injury. This one looks destined to fail.

Joseph Molangoane (Kaizer Chiefs to TTM)

Like Manyisa, he is a veteran who has barely played in recent seasons, was signed months ago and has had a bad recent injury. His versatility in terms of being able to play as a wingback may give him more chance of success but he does look like a flop in waiting.

Kaizer Chiefs PSL Season Preview 2020/21

Aubrey Ngoma (Mamelodi Sundowns to Cape Town City)

Before moving to Downs, Ngoma was arguably the best pure winger in the country. He was outstanding in City’s first year of existence, forging a telepathic understanding with Lebogang Manyama. However, his time under Pitso Mosimane sadly saw a plethora of injuries, weight issues, a shock attempted conversion to left-back and very few actual minutes on the pitch. Hopefully, he proves a huge success back at City, but he finds Surprise Ralani in his position and may need to reinvent himself as a number ten as he gets older.

Dishonourable mentions

Some other signings that don’t look particularly shrewd are the Swallows FC trio of Thabo Matlaba, Joseph Mhlongo and Phetso Maphanga, whilst it’s hard to see how Collins Makgaka (despite his obvious talent) is the required standard to play regularly for Pirates when he was only a squad player at Baroka.