Due to a break for the African Cup of Nations in Gabon, PSL action will only resume on February 7 next year, providing plenty of time for clubs to bring in new faces and assimilate them into the squad.

Absa Premiership rookies Baroka FC, who head into Christmas sitting bottom of the table, have already conducted extensive business, having brought in Highlands Park winger Jose Garcia as well as Helder Pelembe, the former Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic target-man, and Siphamandla Sangweni, a striker once on the books of Pirates but whom has spent most of his career in the National First Division. Former Black Leopards goalkeeper Avhashoni Tshinuna has also been linked to the Limpopo club.

Fellow newcomers, Highlands Park have also struggled in their first season in the top flight and coach Gordon Igesund is reportedly targeting the acquisition of five players with PSL experience in the transfer window.

Another team which has endured a tough season so far, Free State Stars, have already made two signings in December, boosting their backline with vastly experienced central defensive duo Rooi Mahamutsa (formerly of Pirates) and Thamsanqa Teyise (Maritzburg United and SuperSport).

Ajax Cape Town’s form has improved substantially over the last two months, but coach Stanley Menzo still seems keen on strengthening his squad, with the club expected to soon confirm the signing of Zambian midfielder Roderick Kabwe, who just helped his club Zanaco win the league. The Urban Warriors also completed a deal last week to bring in Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Rheece Evans on an 18-month loan term.

Former Ajax captain, midfield playmaker Granwald Scott, is back in South Africa after a year in Slovakia. He has already spent a couple of days training with Bidvest Wits, although several other clubs, including Ajax and Cape Town City, are reportedly interested in the classy midfielder.

Cape Town City have already made a signing in December, having swooped for former Free State Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Luyolo Nomandela, one of the league’s hottest properties a few years ago.

Chippa United meanwhile recently got Thamsanqa Sangweni and Rhulani Manzini to sign three-year contract extensions, Sangweni, in particular, having been regularly linked with a move to one of the big clubs in Gauteng.

Kaizer Chiefs may be only one point off the top of the table but it’s not been all plain-sailing for coach Steve Komphela, who only recently saw his side ending a seven-match winless spell. And the Amakhosi mentor has admitted that he is keen on adding more firepower to an attack which has been rather blunt this season.

“[Bernard] Parker has scored in the past two matches which gave us a bit of a reprieve, Shabba [Siphiwe Tshabalala] as well. But if we can get a consistent goal-scorer, they make the difference,” he said.

The other Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates, have some pressing issues of their own – they need to find a new fitness trainer after Elsa Storm recently departed the club, as well as a new head coach, with a report stating that the Buccaneers are looking to Europe in this regard.

Also looking for a new coach are Maritzburg United, who have made no secret of the fact that they are keen on Roger De Sa, but are waiting to see if the former Ajax and Pirates coach is offered the Bafana Bafana head coach position, now vacant after the sacking of Shakes Mashaba this week