Manqoba Mngqithi offers his take on prolonged transfer window

Since Covid, the league registration date has either been extended to the end of September or even October, with some coaches arguing it created uncertainty for unsettled players.

Speaking to SABC Sport, the Downs mentor offered his take on 20 September being the official timeline for when the window will close.

"To be honest it's difficult for me to complain and talk about it because I don't want to be in a space where it's like, Sundowns is complaining again because of the movement of the window. I think it is also guided by the beginning of the league [new season]," Mngqithi said.

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With Betway confirmed as the new title sponsor for the topflight division, the start of the league was moved to 14 September.

Mngqithi believes this is another mitigating factor.

"And if the beginning of the league is delayed with so much then that has got an effect not only just on the window but it has got an effect on the time spent by the players not competing,” the coach explained.

“Also, by the time spent by the teams in the preparation phase but also understanding the fact that the PSL maybe is also trying their level best to make sure that we've got bread and butter. That's why they make sure that they get a sponsorship and if the sponsorship has got its own demands in terms of branding and everything then we end up having the league postponed the way it was."

The traditional transfer window deadline is 31 August, and very few clubs are happy with delays. Mngqithi is no different.

"That is unfortunate because when the league is now postponed with three, four weeks then the window period probably also has to move but if we are clear and we are not moving the dates for the beginning of the season, I don't think we will have an issue of the window moving back and forth."