Sundowns, Pirates & Chiefs' Top Signings – Produced vs Expected

Sundowns' Thembinkosi Lorch, Pirates' Tshegofatso Mabasa and Chiefs' Pule Mmodi

Monday May 06, 2024. 15:44

With the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates making statements in the transfer window for the 2023/24 campaign, here’s a look at what will be expected of their immediate player investments going forward.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Major signing – Thembinkosi Lorch

While the Brazilians acquired talents such as Matias Esquivel, Tashreeq Matthews and Junior Mendieta this season, Lorch joined Sundowns as one of the club’s biggest signings in recent years. The former Pirates star showed glimpses of his former self in the last couple of months and will take some time to adapt to Rulani Mokwena’s enterprising football model.

Expectations

Known to be a player that shines on the big stage, Mokwena previously mentioned that he expects Lorch to be a pressing machine for his team. While the tricky midfielder is an obvious goal threat, Lorch will provide Sundowns with a direct route to goal, a different attacking dimension to their usual possession-based football style.

Kaizer Chiefs – Pule Mmodi

The versatile attacker joined Amakhosi at the start of the season on the back of a promising 2022/23 campaign with Golden Arrows. It is believed that the Glamour Boys tracked Mmodi’s progress for over a year, while the 31-year-old rejected interest from AmaZulu and Pirates to join the Naturena-based team.

Expectations

Mmodi is currently Chiefs top scorer (4) and leading assist (4) maker so far this season. Simply put, Mmodi will be expected to be the club’s creator-in-chief in the next couple of years. With Amakhosi yet to identify their next coach, Mmodi has already put his hand up as a player who is willing to make a difference in the team.

Orlando Pirates – Tshegofatso Mabasa

Since rejoining Pirates in January, following his loan spell with Moroka Swallows, Mabasa has been one of the Soweto-giants’ best players this year. Mabasa is the second highest scorer in the DStv Premiership this season with 13 efforts to his name so far, while the Soweto club have four league fixtures left to play.

Expectations

After showcasing his ability to rack up the goals, consistency will be Mabasa’s biggest challenge going forward. With Sundowns dominating the DStv Premiership, a regular goal scoring forward in Mabasa could provide the key for Pirates in their pursuit of league glory going forward.