Gavin Hunt stunned by player exodus in PSL transfer window

Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt is stunned by the mass player exodus in the ongoing Premier Soccer League (PSL) off-season transfer window.

While the 2026/27 campaign is set to commence on Saturday, 01 August, a host of Betway Premiership clubs are yet to conclude their business in the transfer market.

Notably, the ongoing transfer window has seen an unusual phenomenon of player movement, with some teams releasing and signing more than 10 players.

Hunt has expressed shock at the exodus happening in the South African topflight division, attributing the rare transfer activity to budget constraints and financial muscle.

“I have never seen such player movement in the PSL, with every club. I think Orlando Pirates let go of 17 players, I think we let go of 20, I think TS Galaxy must be more, everybody. It obviously has to do with budget, let's be honest,” said the Stellies boss.

"It's very difficult to keep hold of your players, very difficult as you've seen. So, rebuild all the time, pick a new squad. As we talk, one player just left now [Thapelo Mokobodi to Pirates], tomorrow will be another one.

The 62-year-old tactician says the aggressive player movement has somewhat distracted pre-season preparations, with some players joining respective camps late.

“So, two days away from the first game, it's not easy. You can't have proper preparations during pre-season because players are coming and going, players are coming in later,” Hunt added.

"And as I've said, we're two days away [from the season opener] and there's still moves happening, and it's going to happen. Hopefully we get past the first game and we're out of the top eight, so we don't play for two weeks and hopefully get a breathing space to get players in and get them fitter or get them more into the dynamics of the team.

With the Cape Winelands outfit having released a plethora of players at the end of the previous season, the four-time league winner has provided insights into the decisions.

“The release of players is due to some players being out of contract, some have got better offers [elsewhere], some got sold - everyone had a case why they left. But it was quite a big shift and obviously we're trying to replace them piece by piece, which is always difficult if you're trying to look for a balance right,” he continued.

"You can throw all kids in there but you will struggle, we don't want to do that, so you've got to get the balance right. So, that's an ongoing battle, maybe it will take us another window to get ourselves head above water a little bit.

Stellenbosch will kickstart the new campaign with a clash against AmaZulu FC at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban, owing to a lack of venues in the Western Cape.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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