Clubs to invade player market

Defending champions Orlando Pirates will definitely add some new acquisitions as they also prepare for their 2013 CAF Champions League campaign.

“We definitely need players in all our departments and this is something we will be looking into. We have now started planning for the Champions League,” Pirates coach Roger de Sa tells KickOff.com.

Sources close to the club say Bucs are leading a three-horse race against Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns for the signature of TP Mazembe midfielder Rainford Kalaba.

Pirates might also revive their association with Malawian midfielder Josephy Kamwendo, who is eager to return to the PSL.

But De Sa is most concerned with acquiring a quality striker as veteran Benni McCarthy continues to struggle to fully recover from a hamstring injury.

And with the bulky Takesure Chinyama and Thulasizwe Mbuyane also prone to injuries, De Sa has his sights set on Zimbabwean forward Roderick Mutuma, who plays for Harare-based outfit Dynamos.

Pirates, however, are not too eager to officially reveal the players they are targeting – probably in fear of jeopardising negotiations.

“During the transfer window players will come and players will go. All this will be decided when the time is right. At the moment, it is not for me to say who is going and who will be joining us,” says Pirates spokesperson Mickey Modisane.

Meanwhile, Bloemfontein Celtic – who have offered Mutuma a trial in January – might beat the Bucs to the signature of the player if coach Clinton Larsen is satisfied with what he has to offer. Larsen is eager to sign a striker to assist Lennox Bacela, who has often carried the burden in attack.

Mamelodi Sundowns, on the other hand, are likely to offload some of their players amidst reports that club president Patrice Motsepe is concerned with the team’s huge salary bills.

Downs coach Pitso Mosimane – who since his arrival has breathed life into their dismal campaign – will have to give a report on whether or not the club should retain the services of Doctor Mampuru, Method Mwanjali, Esrom Nyandoro, Teko Modise, Richard Henyekane, Katlego Mphela and Nyasha Mushekwi, whose contracts will run out at the end of June.

“Such decisions will only be taken once the club returns back from the holidays,” says Sundowns spokesperson Kabelo Mosito.

Platinum Stars, who have been the surprise packages of the first half of the League title chase, are reportedly going to make a R2million bid to sign Celtic’s Joel Mogorosi.

Dikwena will also hope to tie down Bafana Bafana midfielder Thuso Phala, whose contract will run out at the end of the season.

Phala – who on Sunday was named in coach Gordon Igesund’s South African squad for the Africa Cup of Nations – is reportedly on the radar of his former club, Kaizer Chiefs.