The transfer season is in full swing and there have been some moves by the Cape’s best that caught my attention.
It’s a crazy time where loyalties are tested, for some it’s an opportunity to try new things in a new environment, for some it’s an escape for better opportunities and/or more money.
The dynamics involved why players change clubs and why clubs poach talent from elsewhere to improve their team are all different and unique.
It’s all about the money, essentially, with players dreaming of earning a decent living from their talents, agents creating the opportunities and need to make their cut and clubs giving the players the platform to perform, so they all need to get something out of a deal.
There’s also the dark side of it all, where there’s too much “undeclared money” and “gifts” exchanging hands.
There are people getting paid to influence a deal and coaches paid to sign certain players even if they don’t need them.
It’s a crazy world like every sphere where crazy sums of money is involved.
The extra little of spice is that feeling that luck can strike at anytime, like a jackpot at a casino. It’s wild bafethu.
Kaizer Chiefs have no doubt stolen the headlines with the announcement of six new signings headlined by the Cape’s own Brandon Peterson – a goalkeeper who got his break at Ikamva’s famous development grounds for Ajax Cape Town as a teenager.
He was last at Wits, who were sold and he was set to join Amakhosi as a free agent.
He had been training with Chiefs and Gavin Hunt, who was the coach that brought him to Wits wanted him on board at Naturena.
However, Chiefs’ application to have their Fifa ban lifted was denied and he was stuck as a result.
Peterson didn’t sign with another club and Amakhosi didn’t change their minds and the former Ajax keeper has signed now.
He’ll be joined by former Wits teammate Sifiso Hlanti, Njabulo Ngcobo after a breakout season at Swallows, Phathutshedzo Nange, Sibusiso Mabiliso, Kgaogelo Sekgota and the return of Given Thibedi who was loaned out to Swallows.
Hunt has since taken the brave step of coaching Chippa United – some say he’s crazy for doing this, some say he’s brave and could be what that club needs.
Meanwhile, Dillan Solomons has packed his bags for the bright lights of Jozi to join Swallows from Cape Town All Stars.
The 22-year-old winger cut his teeth in the National First Division, getting a break Milano and working his way into a seasoned campaigner in the second tier.
He will now get his shot with the big boys of the Premiership with one of the country’s favourite clubs deep in Soweto.
He’ll be in good company in Dobsonville because there is a lekker Cape Town flavour there already.
Amongst some other moves by Capetonians, veteran midfielder Granwald Scott announced that he signed a one-year extension at Stellenbosch, while former SuperSport United star Morne Nel will get a fresh start in Brazil’s second division with Portuguesa.
Cape Town City have continued to add to their squad, announcing Patrick Fisher, who crossed over from Ikamva’s Spurs.