Johannesburg - Once proclaimed "The Golden Boy" of South African soccer when he became Bafana Bafana's youngest captain, but more recently categorised for his off-the-field indiscretions, Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela has transferred from the Premier League's Mamelodi Sundowns to Platinum Stars.

It is a purchase by the platinum-rich Rustenburg-owned club fraught with a gambler's penchant for chance, but with exciting and far-reaching possibilities, nevertheless.

Notwithstanding his absence from soccer for several months after being found guilty on a banned substance charge and one for drunken driving, Mabizela remains the most naturally gifted defender in the country - who ,under normal circumstances would be a distinct asset for Bafana, not to mention Sundowns.

The Brazilians, therefore, may come to rue the day they placed Mabizela on the transfer list after club president Patrice Motsepe had become irked by his off-the-field behaviour.

But others have suggested that Sundowns have bought so many so-called stars that have turned out to be flops, they should have persevered with one who was a genuine luminary.

Instead, the player who at one time appeared set to have a glittering career with England's Tottenham Hotspur, now finds his career at the crossroads with the Rustenburg-based PSL club.

And Stars recently made another purchase of a highly-gifted Sundowns player in Dillon Sheppard, about whom they might regret not tempting sufficiently to remain with The Brazilians.