Cape Town - With less than a month of the current season to go, several Premier Soccer League (PSL) are already embarking on recruitment drives for next season, the rumour mill gathering momentum in South Africa.
Amongst the most noteworthy transfer rumours is that of Chippa United defender James Okwuosa. The towering defender is being linked with a move to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, a contact close to the player being quoted as saying that an offer has already been tabled by the club.
The Buccaneers recently announced the retirement of centre-back Siyabonga Sangweni, with immediate effect, while veteran defender Lucky Lekgwathi is not far off his 40th birthday and unlikely to play next season. Rooi Mahamutsa meanwhile is 34-years-old, while Ayanda Gcaba (30), Happy Jele (29) and Thabo Matlaba (28) won't be around forever either, it's clear that Bucs need new blood in defence.
Nigerian international Okwuosa has been with Chippa for the last four seasons after being released by Ajax Cape Town. The physically imposing no-nonsense former Lobi Stars and Enugu Rangers (Nigeria) defender is still only 25.
In other PSL-related transfer news, well-travelled striker Ryan Chapman appears set to return to Bidvest Wits after his loan spell at Golden Arrows was recently cut short.
Chapman, 29, is currently training by himself and will be hoping to try and impress the Wits technical team when they begin their 2016/ 2017 preparations in a few months' time.
Meanwhile, Black Aces are confident about hanging on to star striker Collins Mbesuma for another season.
The Zambian marksman has the option to extend his stay by another year, and Aces are confident he will stay put. Mbesuma signed for Aces in 2014 and is currently the league's leading goal-scorer with 13 goals.
Ajax Cape Town have also been busy in the market, the Urban Warriors having recently confirmed the signings of Kenya international midfielder Victor Ali Abondo as well as Zimbabwe defender Eric Chipeta - African News Agency (ANA)