Several players have headed to South Africa’s “big 3” clubs in recent times with the hope of writing their names in history, but for a range of reasons the moves have not worked out, writes Mark Gleeson.

With the resources at their disposal, mega clubs like Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates should have a perfect record when it comes to the transfer market.

But the reality is the opposite and despite the large budgets, expansive staff, and analysts who scrutinise every potential transfer target, there have been as many flops as successes at these clubs in recent years.

BONFILS-CALEB BIMENYIMANA

An unknown from Burundi (near left), Chiefs signed him after he had prior spells in Eastern Europe. He looked strong and imposing, was one of the tallest players in the league and set a new record by scoring three penalties in a single match at Stellenbosch in October 2022. But after showing potential in his first months at the club, he was dropped and released from his contract after a single season.

JEREMY BROCKIE

The Kiwi was banging in goals with both feet and with gay abandon for SuperSport United, and had Pitso Mosimane regularly calling him to tap him up for Sundowns. At first SuperSport balked at a possible move but Brockie’s head was turned and Sundowns paid a handsome fee. But once in the yellow of the Brazilians, the goals dried up.

BIENVENU EVA NGA

Originally scouted in Mozambique, where he was top scorer, by Gavin Hunt for Wits, Eva Nga (far left) then moved to Chippa and with his burly frame was regularly scoring. It led to a move to Pirates for the 2022/23 season, but he managed only a single goal and never caught the fancy of new coach José Riveiro. Now back at Chippa, the Cameroon-born forward proved himself again as a dangerous marksman.

JUSTICE CHABALALA

The centre back burst on to the scene in the 2015–16 season with Free State Stars and was snapped up by Pirates after one season. He played there for six months but was then suddenly loaned out to Chippa United. When he went back to Pirates in 2018, he never got a game. Over the next two campaigns, he had a single league outing for the club before moving to Bloemfontein Celtic.

LAZAROUS KAMBOLE

The striker was hailed as one of the hottest properties on the continent when Chiefs signed him from Zesco United, and just weeks after he had been part of the Zambia side that won the Cosafa Cup. But he never lived up to the billing and, despite a three-year contract at AmaKhosi, scored only twice in 16 starts.

JOSÉ ALÍ MEZA

The eternal search for a free-scoring striker rounded on Meza in 2017 after he had topped the scoring charts in Bolivia with 26 goals in a single season for Oriente Petrolero. There was much expectation around the Venezuelan, but he did not score a single goal in his first season and faded away before being sent to Maritzburg United.

JAMES OKWUOSA

The Nigerian centre back did a sterling job for Chippa United after arriving from Enugu Rangers and even won three caps for the Super Eagles during his time in the Eastern Cape. After five seasons Pirates came calling and signed him, but he never fit in with the Buccaneers and played a single game before going back to Chippa. He is now playing in Malaysia.

ERWIN SAAVEDRA

Scouting trips across the pond to South America proved successful for Mosimane when he brought Gastón Sirino back from Bolivia, and Saavedra was his next discovery, coming with a much better profile than that of the little Uruguayan. Saavedra (above) was a full, and current, international for Bolivia playing in the national team against the likes of Argentina and Brazil but he hurt his knee early on in his Sundowns days.

EMILIANO TADE

Born in Argentina but playing for Auckland City in New Zealand, Tade had already competed at the Club World Cup when he arrived at AmaZulu, seeking to become a professional footballer in his late 20s after a semiprofessional career in New Zealand. He was a hit at Usuthu so Sundowns snapped him up, but within a year, he told the champions he wanted to go back to New Zealand.

BERNARD MORRISON

The Ghana winger had impressed in African club competition for Congolese club AS Vita, so when Pirates added him to their stable in 2016 it seemed a clever move to strengthen their chances of a continental trophy. But Morrison proved a maverick and was never able to impress, eventually falling foul of the law in South Africa when he overstayed his welcome and his visa expired. He has subsequently been refused entry back.

Photo by Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix