These are some of the new signings to watch after PSL transfer window

22 August 2016 - 16:47 By Nick Said

Sibusiso Vilakazi and Abbubaker Mobara are high-profile transfers who are likely to make a significant impact at their new clubs. But who are some of the lesser-known names who could also have a big impact on the teams they have joined in this transfer window? CLEOPAS DUBE (BAROKA FC) Dube scored 13 goals in the National First Division for Witbank Spurs last season and has been signed by Baroka FC as a replacement for Thabiso Kutumela‚ who left for Orlando Pirates.The Zimbabwean forward has cut his teeth in the second division for the last few seasons and deserves his shot at the big-time. He is likely to be the one to lead the line for Baroka.ANDREA FILECCIA (MARITZBURG UNITED)The Belgian forward was impressive for Free State Stars in the first half of last season before a serious knee injury ended his campaign in January.He is back to full fitness and has reunited with Ernst Middendorp at Maritzburg. A goalscorer‚ he is also the creative type of attacking midfielder that United have been missing to some extent in recent seasons. DEON HOTTO (BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC)Hotto has blistering pace that plays perfectly into the counter-attacking game that coach Serame Letsoaka wants to play at Bloemfontein Celtic this season. His direct running style and eye for goal make him a potential star in this Celtic side‚ though he can be inconsistent at times. THEMBINKOSI LORCH (CHIPPA UNITED)Lorch gets his shot at the big time after a number of seasons in the National First Division while on loan from Orlando Pirates. The attacking midfielder featured for the national side at the recent COSAFA Castle Cup in Namibia and is clearly in the thinking of the national selectors. He spent last season at Cape Town All Stars‚ so knows Chippa coach Dan Malesela well. CHARLTON MASHUMBA (HIGHLANDS PARK)Mashumba had been touted for a move to Kaizer Chiefs from Jomo Cosmos but when the powers that be at Naturena took too long to make their move‚ he was sold to Highlands Park. He will play alongside veteran Zambian Collins Mbesuma this season and looks to build on his enormous potential. He shone in a poor Cosmos side last season and with better service around him could be among the leading PSL scorers this campaign. THABO MNYAMANE (SUPERSPORT UNITED) Mnyamane was the stand-out player at University of Pretoria last season and had been linked with both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates after making his debut for the senior national side. He has ended up at SuperSport‚ where the competition for places is tough‚ but brings an x-factor to Stuart Baxter’s side. LUCKY MOHOMI (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)Mohomi burst onto the scene last season with Free State Stars and was quickly snapped up by Sundowns after interest from all the leading clubs in the PSL. He had arrived from second-tier Ga-Rankuwa United and it was only really in the second half of the season that he made his mark‚ helping the club to the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup. MOGAKOLODI NGELE (BIDVEST WITS) Ngele is well known to South African fans but will hope that his move to BidVest Wits as part of the deal that saw Sibusiso Vilakazi go in the opposite direction gets his hugely promising career back on track. The Botswana international is a star performer who could fit the Vilakazi mould for Wits‚ and after making just three league starts at Sundowns last season should be highly-motivated.He has the potential to reach double-figures in terms of goals this year and will be a key attacking weapon for coach Gavin Hunt. DANNY PHIRI (LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS)Phiri captained Zimbabwe at the recent COSAFA Castle Cup and looks a neat and tidy player who will add some steel to the midfield for coach Clinton Larsen.He arrives from Chicken Inn in his homeland‚ the same side who caused Mameodi Sundowns problems in the early rounds of the African Champions League this season.He was named Zimbabwe’s 2015 Soccer Star of the Year‚ their version of South Africa’s PSL Player of the Season. RENARS RODE (CAPE TOWN CITY) Rode is a Latvian international who brings a wealth of experience to the PSL having played in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League earlier in his career.The centre-back will need to be a leader in the heart of the City defence.Mpumalanga Black Aces wanted to sign him at the start of last season but ran out of foreigner spots.He was recommended to City by former Black Aces coach Muhsin Ertugral...

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