Sundowns sign Nigerian teenager

Mamelodi Sundowns only just beat the Premier Soccer League's transfer deadline on Wednesday as they rushed to register highly-rated young Nigerian midfielder Soga Sambo.

The 19-year old impressed coach Angel Cappa and his technical team during a one-week trial and he is seen as a direct replacement for Siaka Tiene, who joined French side St Etienne recently.

Sambo, who played for Shooting Stars in the Nigerian First Division, was a member of the Nigerian junior national team that took part in the World Under-20 Youth Championships in Holland two months ago and lost 2-1 to Argentina in the final.

The Brazilians also registered former Wits University attacking midfielder Reagan Noble.

Zimbabwean international striker Peter Ndlovu has been granted permanent residence, which allows Cappa to field him as a naturalised South African. The move paved way to sign Sambo as they had already exhausted their foreign player quota.

Orlando Pirates also beat the transfer deadline by registering defenders Themba Mnguni, who was released by SuperSport United at the end of last season, and Thabang Molefe.

Veteran Mnguni, who made his name playing for Sundowns in the early nineties, is likely to fill the vacancy left by former Bucs captain Jimmy Tau, who joined Kaizer Chiefs after a contractual dispute.

For Molefe, who had an unsuccessful loan stint with the Buccaneers midway through last season, this is another opportunity to make a name for himself in the heart of the Buccaneers defence as they go all out to clinch the Premier Soccer League title.

In other interesting registrations on Wednesday, Santos head coach Roger De Sa got former Wits University goalkeeper Wayne Roberts and promising defender Marvin Bean, from Mvela Golden League outfit Avendale Athletico, on his books.

Moroka Swallows coach Gavin Igesund could not hide his excitement at securing the services of attacking left winger Tsweu Mokoro, who joined them on a one-year loan deal from SuperSport United.

Dynamos registered little known Nigerian striker Avoo Dondo and Malawian first choice goalkeeper Swadwick Sanudi.

Silver Stars welcomed former Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Junior Khanye on a season-long loan with the option of buying.

Former Sundowns defender Sashi Chalwe will turn out for Bloemfontein Celtic under his former coach, Paul Dolezar, henceforth while SuperSport United registered Tanzanian offensive midfielder Suluman Mutola from Simba FC.