Mamelodi Sundowns' dilemma on how to make registration space for new signing, Argentine Matias Esquivel could already be settled.
Despite already having six foreign players on their books, the Brazilians went on to complete the signing of Esquivel from Club Atletico Lanus, for a reported transfer fee of $2,5 million (R46,5 million).
That has meant Masandawana currently have seven foreign players on their roster, including Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, Abubaker Nasir, Junior Mendieta and Divine Lunga and can only register five foreign players, according to NSL rules.
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In order to register Esquivel, Sundowns had to make a way to remove two players from the registration roll and as things stand, it is understood that Lunga could stand to gain South African citizenship after spending five years in the country, which will leave the African Football League champions with one more foreign spot to deal with.
Initially Mendieta was linked with a loan move to Stellenbosch but the January transfer window slammed shut without that movement, while the Tshwane giants were reportedly also keen to send out Nasir on loan.
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However, the Ethiopian has reportedly picked up a serious ankle injury that potentially rules him out for the rest of the season and Sundowns will have the option to unregister the 23-year-old for at least the next six months.
The PSL amended their foreign player rules in the 2016/17 season, that has allowed clubs more freedom to unregister non-South Africans in the January transfer window, rather than being tied with a foreign player for the rest of the season, after being registered at the beginning of the campaign, should his status change.