Bidvest Wits, the 2017 Absa Premiership champions, will again usher in new faces for the upcoming season – several new exits and arrivals being confirmed by coach Gavin Hunt to the Siya crew this week.
The club had long announced the signing of Ajax Cape Town duo of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and striker Prince Nxumalo on pre-contracts as well as midfielder Phathutshedzo Nange from Black Leopards.
Read: PSL Rival Coach On Chiefs New Recruits
Speaking to the crew, Hunt said he was likely to have a smaller squad this season compared to the previous one and gave a list of some of the new recruits and those who have since left the Clever Boys.
“A lot of players have left – some because of contracts running out and some for various reasons,” the coach explained. “A lot of it was budget constraints as well. It means we now have a smaller, but tighter squad. But it’s not like our squad was big, but yes a lot of players have left.”
As confirmed by Hunt, the ins and outs at Wits are as follows:
Read: Hunt: Gabuza Is Now At A Better Club
OUT:
Darren Keet, Denis Weidlich, Vuyo Mere, Edwin Gyimah, Sibusiso Khumalo and Daylon Claasen
IN:
Zitha Macheke, Siyanda Zwane, Sameehg Doutie, Ivan Mahangwahaya and Carl Lark (including the three announced by the club in January)
Watch: Baxter Reflects On AFCON Campaign
Players such as Lehlohonolo Majoro and Gabadinho Mhango were long confirmed by their new clubs in AmaZulu and Orlando Pirates, respectively. Hunt did not rule out the possibility of more players leaving, while he did not commit to signing more.