Four South African teams among Africa's biggest spenders
Zurich, Switzerland (NAN) - Four teams from South Africa have ranked among Africa's biggest spenders on international signings over the last decade in a survey conducted by FIFA.
On Monday, the world football's governing body FIFA released the results of a survey into the spending of clubs on international transfer fees over the last decade to reveal which teams from around the globe had invested the most on new signings.
The transfer fees, which have not been disclosed for the respective clubs, were collected and collated from FIFA's Transfer Matching System (which includes loans & free agents) in respect of signings from other member associations between 1 January 2011 and 31 May 2021.
While European clubs dominated the list, it was Pyramids FC who emerged as Africa's biggest spenders in the CAF-specific ranking, with the Egyptian giants topping the chart on international acquisitions ahead of domestic rivals Al Ahly.
Reigning DStv Premiership champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, placed sixth, with 24 internationals transfers recorded, behind the North African trio of ES Tunis, Zamalek and ES Sahel, while the now-defunct Bidvest Wits feature in ninth despite ceasing to exist in 2019.
Meanwhile, two more South African top-flight teams – Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United – ranked within the top 20 in FIFA's survey, with the former placing 17th overall and the latter in 20th position.
The survey also revealed the DStv Premiership to be a poor exporter of talents to other member associations as not one club from the division featured among the biggest sellers, which was dominated by teams from around West and North Africa.
-0- PANA VAO 30Aug2021
