THE January transfer window slammed shut last week and although it was a fairly quiet month for clubs, it was the teams near the bottom that did the most strengthening.

Bottom side AmaZulu signed seven new players, including striker Bongani Ndulula from Orlando Pirates and Joseph Malongoane from Platinum Stars, both of whom should add strength to their first team.

Chippa United's gung-ho approach to the season continued as they made yet another coaching change in ousting Farouk Abrahams and bringing in Wilfred Mugeyi, and signed five new players.

Stanton Lewis and Mbulelo Mabizela have PSL experience but are volatile, while the addition to the squad of the troubled Masibusane Zongo smacks of desperation.

The arrival back at the club on loan of striker Joshua Sauls from Platinum Stars looks like it might be a good piece of business, though.

Ajax Cape Town have arguably made the most impact on their squad.

The Mother City club were desperate for experienced PSL campaigners to complement their promising youngsters and they have got that in former Bafana Bafana internationals Lance Davids, Abia Nale and Mabhuti Khenyeza.

There were no major deals involving the so-called big three, despite suggestions early on from Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates in particular that they would add to their numbers in January.

Here is a round-up of all the major January transfers:

AJAX CAPE TOWN

In: Lance Davids (Lierse, Belgium), Mabhuti Khenyeza (SuperSport United), Abubaker Mobara (promoted), Abia Nale (Kaizer Chiefs, loan)

Out: Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United, loan), Alcardo van Graan (Milano United, loan), Keamogetse Wolff (released)

AMAZULU

In: Makhosonke Bhengu (Sun Hei, Hong Kong), Luyanda Hlongwa (free agent), Njabulo Manqana (free agent), Phumlani Mhamha (Free State Stars), Joseph Malongoane (Platinum Stars, loan), Willem Mwedihanga (Tigers FC), Bongani Ndulula (Orlando Pirates)

Out: Prince Hlela (SuperSport United), Josef Lekata (released), Mandla Sangweni (Durban Warriors, loan), Donovan Thompson (Mpumalanga Black Aces, loan)

BIDVEST WITS

In: Denver Mukamba (Dynamos, Zimbabwe), Thapelo Tshilo (free agent)

Out: Mbulelo Mabizela (Chippa United)

BLACK LEOPARDS

In: None

Out: None

BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC

In: Tladi Majake (promoted), Roderick Mutuma (Dynamos, Zimbabwe)

Out: Siyabonga Nontshinga (Mpumalanga Black Aces, loan), Danny Venter (Free State Stars)

CHIPPA UNITED

In: Phumelele Bhengu (free agent), Stanton Lewis (Golden Arrows), Mbulelo Mabizela (Wits), Joshua Sauls (Platinum Stars, loan), Masibusane Zongo (free agent)

Out: Gift Sithole, Masonwabe Bovu (both Golden Arrows), Cyril Mashego (Blackburn Rovers), Justice Sithole (FC Cape Town), Philani Dlamini (Thanda Royal Zulu)

FREE STATE STARS

In: Sihle Mpuqa (promoted), Fikru Tefera (free agent), Danny Venter (Bloemfontein Celtic)

Out: Herron Berrian, Taonga Dondo, Benjamin van Heerden, Clement Mokgope and Luyanda Hlongwa (all released)

KAIZER CHIEFS

In: Reyaard Pieterse (free agent)

Out: Abia Nale (Ajax Cape Town, loan)

LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS

In: Gift Sithole, Masonwabe Bovu (both Chippa United), Thembela Sikhakhane (Ulundi FC), Maselaelo Seanego (Orlando Pirates, loan)

Out: Souleymane Keita (released), Stanton Lewis (Chippa United), Dillon Sheppard (Maritzburg United)

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

In: Ramahlwe Mphahlele (University of Pretoria, loan return)

Out: Siyabonga Ngubane (University of Pretoria, loan)

MARITZBURG UNITED

In: Heinrich Isaacks (Civics, Namibia), Ayanda Ndlovu (Sivutsa Stars, loan return), Dillon Sheppard (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Virgil Vries (free agent)

Out: None

MOROKA SWALLOWS

In: None

Out: None

ORLANDO PIRATES

In: Nhlakanipho Ntuli, Tshepo Liphoko (both promoted), Maselaelo Seanego, Luvuyo Kelepu (both free agents)

Out: Mbongeni Gumede (Jomo Cosmos, loan), Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), Maselaelo Seanego, Tshepo Liphoko (both Golden Arrows, loan)

PLATINUM STARS

In: None

Out: Joseph Malongoane (AmaZulu, loan), Joshua Sauls (Chippa United), Sipho Nkosi (Blackburn Rovers, loan), Pheleni Mpangase (released)

SUPERSPORT UNITED

In: Bradley Grobler (Ajax Cape Town, loan), Prince Hlela (AmaZulu), Thabo Moloi, Dean Patricio, Oupa Moeketsi (all promoted), Simba Sithole (Dynamos, Zimbabwe)

Out: Mabhuti Khenyeza (Ajax Cape Town, loan)

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

In: Ayo Oluwafemi (free agent), Petrus Shitembi (Rundu Chiefs, Namibia), Siyabonga Ngubane (Mamelodi Sundowns, loan)

Out: Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Mamelodi Sundowns, loan return)