The 2015/16 Premier Soccer League season is now officially underway, while football fanatics from far and wide all experience the mixed bag of emotions that come with being an avid football follower in such entertaining times, we at GSV have served you up a little morsel for thought as we begin to approach the end of the transfer window. Dished out for your reading pleasure, we present to you GSV Grading The Deal, were all the ABSA Premiership clubs will have their acquisitions dissected with the view of shedding more light on the shady world of transfer dealings. Enjoy!
ABSA Premiership
Chippa United Football Club
Signings
Daniel Akpeyi
Transferred From: Warri Wolves (Nigeria)
DoB: August 3rd, 1986 (29)
Nationality: Nigerian
Position/s: Goalkeeper
Zitha Macheke
Transferred From: Kaizer Chiefs (Loan)
DoB: January 4th, 1994 (21)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Stopper Defender, Cover Defender, Ball-Playing Defender (Central)
Simphiwe Ndzimbovu
Transferred From: Maritzburg City
DoB: November 17th, 1991 (23)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Fullback, Wingback (Left)
Diamond Thopola
Transferred From: Thanda Royal Zulu
DoB: March 23rd, 1990 (25)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Fullback, Wingback (Right)
Hlabane Kutumela
Transferred From: Baroka FC
DoB: April 13th, 1990 (25)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Anchorman, Ball-Winning Midfielder, Box-To-Box Midfielder
Sandile Zuke
Transferred From: BidVest Wits
DoB: June 10th, 1987 (28)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Anchorman, Ball-Winning Midfielder, Box-To-Box Midfielder, Deep-Lying Playmaker
Chis Matombo
Transferred From: Kaizer Chiefs (Loan)
DoB: September 26th, 1993 (21)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Deep-Lying Playmaker, Box-To-Box Midfielder, Attacking Midfielder
Mark Mayambela
Transferred From: Royal Eagles
DoB: September 9th, 1987 (27)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Winger, Attacking Midfielder, Advanced Playmaker, Trequartista (Left, Centre)
Nkosinathi Mthiyane
Transferred From: AmaZulu FC
DoB: June 25th, 1988 (27)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Winger, Attacking Midfielder (Left)
Kuduku Maleasenya
Transferred From: Baroka FC
DoB: February 28th, 1992 (23)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Winger, Attacking Midfielder (Left)
Philani Shange
Transferred From: AmaZulu FC
DoB: April 24th, 1985 (30)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Winger, Attacking Midfielder, Advanced Playmaker, Trequartista (Left, Right, Centre)
Rhulani Manzini
Transferred From: Platinum Stars
DoB: March 6th, 1988 (27)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Advanced Forward, Complete Forward, Target Man
Lerato Manzini
Transferred From: Bloemfontein Celtic
DoB: August 14th, 1990 (24)
Nationality: South African
Position/s: Advanced Forward, Complete Forward, Poacher
The Grand Stand View
Since their inception as a football club, Chippa United have had a very open squad rotation policy that seems to work for them in many regards; personnel may come and go at the club, yet the team manages to keep its identity of attacking football alive, while making some decent profits from moving on players they got in on the cheap. This transfer policy seems to have been revisited to a large extent yet again during the off-season as gaffer Roger Sikhakane has cast a wide net into the talent ocean of Africa and fished out what could turn into a great catch overall for the club and its adoring supporters in the Eastern Cape.
Chippa United can never be accused of lacking in quality, they have one of the most ardent scouting networks and the club seems to be able to scour the lesser prodded crevices of African football to find good talent with great potential at very feasible prices; such a good track record of unearthing lesser known quantities should be rewarded with more on-field success, and Chippa United will be praying for a breakout season from the entire organization. Chippa United are a living testament to the fact that one thing remains true in Mzansi diski; you can never do much wrong in the eyes of the supporters when you play a great brand of attacking football with flair, goals and creative freedom allowed to those skilful Sons of Mama Africa.
