Mamelodi Sundowns have been criticised in the past few seasons for supposedly 'weakening' competition by signing most of the best and promising players, especially from SuperSport United.
However, this time around it can be argued that United could've got the most out of the deal for Thapelo Maseko.
The South African player's transfer deal to Sundowns included midfielder Grant Margeman transferring permanently from the Brazilians to SuperSport and crucially, Etiosa Ighodaro moving to Matsatsantsa on loan.
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According to reports, Sundowns paid R19 million to prize away the 20-year-old Maseko from their Tshwane neighbours, however, the speedy winger, unlike previous big signings from United like Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Mbule and Ronwen Williams, may not go straight into the line-up at the star-studded Brazilians.
Maseko only has two seasons under his belt in the DStv Premiership, in contrast to some big signings Sundowns made from SuperSport over the years, who were already primed to hit the ground running.
In comparison to what SuperSport got out of the deal, in addition to big money they can use to find a replacement, Ighodaro will strengthen Gavin Hunt's charges immensely upfront.
Hunt, a multiple-league winning coach, has a knack of finding a way to win with quality players who go under the radar and Ighodaro joins Matsatsantsa on the back of scoring 10 goals for Chippa United last season.
The Nigerian striker joins Bradley Grobler to add firepower, both of whom would be setting their sights on the Golden Boot award, after missing out by two goals to Sundowns forward Peter Shalulile and Cape Town City striker Khanyisa Mayo in the last campaign. Grobler scored 10 goals last season.
Matsatsantsa, despite selling one of their top talents, Maseko, could actually have a better squad compared to last season, from the forwards' perspective, considering that they also signed Terrence Dzvukamanja from Orlando Pirates.
Although Dzvukamanja struggled for game time early last season, he finished the 2022/23 campaign strongly, with seven goals from 14 league matches.
SuperSport have lost a big player at the back in Thatayaone Ditlhokwe to Kaizer Chiefs but if they can remain solid at the back, having Grobler, Ighodaro and Dzvukamanja upfront, should make them one of the favourites to challenge Sundowns or the traditional 'big three' for titles this season.
READ: Dzvukamanja's Pirates Exit To Open Doors
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