Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns & the rest of the PSL: Who needs what in the January transfer window?

There’s no better place to start than at Chiefs, where there seems to be plenty of discontent from the supporters and most likely even those involved at the club.

The season began with plenty of optimism following the appointment of proven winner Nasreddine Nabi as head coach, who came with his own technical team.

The acquisition of players such as Rushwin Dortley, Miguel Inacio, Bradley Cross, Fiacre Ntwari, Njabulo Blom and Gaston Sirino, to name a few, added to the excitement.

But despite a promising start, Amakhosi don’t seem to have improved greatly from their previous disappointing performances under Nabi’s predecessors.

The positions that are in most glaring need of reinforcement are striker, left winger, attacking midfielder, left back and goalkeeper.

The likes of Ranga Chivaviro, Ashley du Preez and Christian Saile continue to struggle for consistency upfront and a proven scorer is a no-brainer for Nabi.

Chiefs were previously linked with top strikers like Fiston Mayele of Pyramids and Khanyisa Mayo of CR Belouizdad, while club legend Brian Baloyi urged the club to go all out for out-of-favour Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa.

The club are also said to be shopping for a more attacking left-back to challenge Bradley Cross, with Stellenbosch FC’s Fawaaz Basadien earmarked.

Having missed out on Elias Mokwana and Oswin Appollis, Chiefs will be out to sign a top winger given the struggles faced by the likes of Tebogo Potsane and Pule Mmodi.

The Glamour Boys might also look to improve their last line of defence with new signing Ntwari not looking like much of an improvement on Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Peterson. Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali could be an option.

Jose Riveiro’s men have had a strong start to the season but that doesn’t mean there are no areas of improvement within the squad as they look to sustain their PSL title charge.

Bucs, who already have the MTN8 in the bag, are also eying the Nedbank Cup as well as the big one - the Caf Champions League.

And for Riveiro’s side to go all the way, quality squad depth is needed, meaning they do not have the luxury of sitting out the upcoming transfer window.

There are strong rumours already that they are hot on the heels of Polokwane City duo Appollis and Thabang Matuludi, who would bolster two key positions - attacking midfield and right-back.

However, it is at centre-back where Pirates appear to need reinforcements the most after injuries to key players like Olisa Ndah and Tapelo Xoki.

Sundowns have arguably the strongest squad in the PSL having made it a norm to snap up some of the country’s top talent as well as explore the foreign market for quality players.

However, that will not stop the Brazilians from delving into the market for more improvements should the right opportunity arise.

The arrival of new coach Miguel Cardoso could also force the club to bring in players the Portuguese believe will best suit his philosophy.

Downs have quality in just about every position, however, that has never stopped them from bringing in new players and they are expected to keep up with their norm.

Two areas that might be lighter than the rest are right back and central defence, with only Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena the options at right back while injury-prone Mothibi Mvala, Grant Kekana and Rushine de Reuck often leave them short at centre back.

Polokwane City’s Matuludi could be an option at right-back while Stellies’ Thabo Moloisane is a player who could fit well at Sundowns having been at the club before.

Polokwane City

Rise and Shine's biggest mission will be to keep hold of their star players like Appollis and Matuludi, among others.

Phuti Mohafe has done a tremendous job leading the Limpopo outfit to third in the PSL table with 20 points from 11 matches so far.

It is difficult to see them maintaining their impressive start to the campaign without their prized assets.

City would need to find competent replacements for Appollis and Matuludi should they indeed depart in January.

Stellenbosch FC

Stellies are another side that can hardly afford to lose any more of their players in January having already lost the likes of Iqraam Rayners, Deano van Rooyen and Antonio van Wyk at the beginning of the season.

Steve Barker's charges, though, have still managed to punch above their weight regardless, and would be eager to strengthen should the opportunity arise.

They are in need of a lethal finisher after losing Rayners and then having new signing Lehlohonolo Mojela sidelined through injury.

Although Ashley Cupido could still come good, he could do with another attacker to share the scoring load.

SuperSport United

Gavin Hunt's charges have already addressed one problem position when they snapped up free agent Samir Nurkovic to assist Bradley Grobler upfront.

However, they remain short in central midfield after losing Grant Margerman to a long-term injury. They also could do with reinforcements in defence.

Rest of the clubs

Meanwhile, a club like Cape Town City is also yet to replace their star Khanyisa Mayo with a player of the same quality with the Bafana Bafana forward's absence being felt still.

TS Galaxy have a talented group of players but could need to replace a player like Puso Dithejane, who is rumoured to be on the radar of some of the top teams in the league.

AmaZulu have already got the ball rolling with the double signing of Bongani Zungu and Sandile Mthethwa, players who are ready to come straight in and improve Arthur Zwane and Vusumuzi Vilakazi's team immediately. The KwaZulu-Natal outfit might still have some more business to do in January.

Nwabali to Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs are said to be contemplating going for Chippa United custodian Stanley Nwabali to strengthen the goalkeeping department.

According to reports, they will discuss a possible swap deal involving Fiacre Ntwari who joined Amakhosi from TS Galaxy in the summer.

Pirates set sights on Appollis

Orlando Pirates are reportedly set to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window with Polokwane City pair Appoliis and Matuludi.

Multiple reports indicate Pirates are close to signing the Bafana Bafana duo, beating many other suitors to the sought-after players.

The duo has been linked with Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns as well while Appollis also has the option of moving abroad.

Chiefs striker options

Chiefs have made it no secret that they are in the market for a striker with Congolese marksman Fiston Mayele, who plays for Pyramids FC, top of their list. They also have their sights on Tumisang Orebonye of AS FAR Rabat and Kenya captain Michael Olunga.

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