KickOff can reveal that two Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs are engaged in a neck-and-neck race to sign veteran playmaker Surprise Ralani.
Hungry Lions FC and Upington City are believed to be working overtime behind the scenes trying to bring on board the 37-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns man.
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Ralani last played for Cape Town Spurs and has been a free agent since he was let go by the club at the end of last season.
Lions chairman and coach Henry Basie confirmed his side's interest in the dribbling wizard.
"Yes, we are still talking to the player, we are still negotiating. He doesn't need assessment since we already know him, but as you know, finances are always a problem in our league," Basie informs KickOff.
"We should be finishing the talks by Friday at the latest."
The Northern Cape-based outfit are currently in eighth place in the standings with only eight points accumulated from their six matches so far.
They have managed only two wins.
"The mandate is easy, win the league. If he doesn't, then the coach will get fired. We are happy with our start so far, it is too early.
"But, to be honest, the only thing that we want is to stay in there within touching distance. We wanna hide, and come the second round, we will be there.
"We didn't correct the mistakes in the first round because we thought we were already there.
"That's what this league is all about. One moment, you will think you are covered, and the next day, you find out you still have some beefing up to do.
"So, ja, we are talking to Ralani, but he is also talking to Upington City. But we are interested in what he can do.
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"The boy is talented, and you can imagine what he can bring to our team. And currently, we don't have enough experienced players".
Lions next face Pretoria Callies on Saturday at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley.