Transfer ban: Are Kaizer Chiefs now allowed to sign new players?

The mid-season transfer is done and dusted in South Africa, meaning teams cannot buy or sell players until the start of the 2021-22 campaign unless those players are free agent.

Kaizer Chiefs watched from the sidelines as their rivals acquired the services of some of the top players in the country – and this is because of the ban imposed on them by Fifa and upheld by Court Arbitration for Sport (CAS).  

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS UPDATE: ZUMA OUT AS NGEZANA AND MATHOHO RETURN

But there is still a question on everyone’s lips – and that’s whether not Chiefs can now sign new players who are free agents now that they have served their two-window transfer ban.

The answer isn’t that simple and straightforward…

At first, Amakhosi were believed to be standing an outside of reinforcing their squad soon after the mid-season transfer window which slammed shut on February 15.

The PSL rule book says:

• A player who was not under contract with any club at the time that the previous registration period closed.
• An amateur player who has a clearance certificate.
• A player who has been declared a free agent.

READ | CAF THROWS KAIZER CHIEFS UNDER THE BUS

However, the latest developments suggest otherwise as the abovementioned rules only apply to teams that are not banned from signing players.  

It is true that Chiefs have served the ban – but the season isn’t over yet and they must, therefore, finish the current campaign with the same players they started with.

The only thing they can do is to box smart in their immediate recruitment approach by promoting from within the club structures – but that wouldn’t solve their problems as they need experienced campaigners in order to challenge for honours.

This is what the regulations stipulate – and it is for that reason the Soweto giants didn’t even bother inviting any of their targets to train with them or sign pre-contracts.

MUST READ | WINNERS – AND LOSERS – FROM THE PSL TRANSFER WINDOW

Nonetheless, that process can start now where they can reach verbal agreements with players to join them immediately after the end of the season.

Phathutshedzo Nange and Sfiso Hlanti are the two players touted to join the Glamour Boys from next year after being given an opportunity to train with them some time last year.

Nange is currently on a one-year deal with Stellenbosch FC while Hlanti also signed a season-long deal with Swallows FC at the start of the current team.