Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has admitted that the signings of Ali Meza, Jeremy Brockie, Aubrey Ngoma and Toni Silva, who were brought in to replace Percy Tau and Khama Billiat, have not worked out.

Tau left South African shores at the end of last season to join Brighton and Hove Albion, before going out on loan, while Billiat made a mega-money move to Kaizer Chiefs.

The two forwards had made up the core of the Downs attacking force, and Mosimane was hoping that bringing in a host of new players could help fill the void left by the duo.

The signings, however, have just not worked out for all parties concerned. Meza has made just 12 appearances in all competitions without netting a goal, while Brockie has made nine league starts and has scored just once.

Ngoma has arguably had the toughest of times, making just nine appearance in total for the club, while Silva left Chloorkop after just six months for Al Ittihad Alexandria in the Egyptian Premier League after failing to establish himself as well.

Speaking after his side’s elimination from the Caf Champions League, Mosimane admitted that his team have struggled to replace their former star duo.

‘Some of the signings did not work. It needs to be a little different up front in terms of scoring goals,’ said Mosimane.

‘We tried to reinforce. We tried after we lost Khama and Percy, our top strikers. We signed Ali Meza, Toni Silva, Brockie, Aubrey Ngoma and them.

‘To try and maybe close the gap. But the reality is that the gap was not closed. That’s the truth. And when you lose those two strikers, it’s a bit difficult to maintain. We are a team in construction, and I will say that whether we win or lose.’