Ailing Orlando Pirates have made some encouraging early forays into the transfer market, but need a number of other quality signings in key areas if they are to return to the summit of the South African game.
The emergence of Bidvest Wits as a power in the Premier Soccer League, and the resurgence of Mamelodi Sundowns in the last four seasons, has relegated the once all-conquering Pirates and their Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs to also-rans in the PSL.
Neither has won a trophy in the last two seasons, something that is unheard of in the last five decades, while Pirates' 11th-place finish in the league was their worst in 30 years.
They only finished five points above the relegation zone, suffered a record 6-0 loss to Sundowns, were humiliated 6-1 by SuperSport United in the league and then 4-1 in the country's FA Cup final in what was truly a horrific, embarrassing and cringe-worthy campaign.
Ann all this in a year in which they were hoping to celebrate their 80th anniversary in style.
There is no quick fix to the situation, but what is needed is an overhaul of a squad that contained too many passengers last season, players who faced little competition for places and simply went through the motions at times. Already secured for next season is goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands from Sundowns, Thamsanqa Sangweni from Chippa United and Nigerian forward Christian Obiozor, who arrives from Enyimba.
The trio will improve the spine of the team and it is a good start from management, who are reportedly still mulling over the future of Swedish coach Kjell Jonevret this week, though he now looks likely to stay.
Pirates used four goalkeepers last season and none inspired confidence. Equatorial Guinea international Felipe Ovono has since left, leaving Brighton Mhlongo, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Jackson Mabokgwane and young Nigerian Emmanuel Daniel to battle it out with Sandilands.
Sandilands brings experience and confidence to the club, having come on as a substitute when Sundowns lifted the CAF Champions League trophy in Alexandria against Zamalek last October. He was frustrated by a lack of game-time at Sundowns though and at the age of 33 still has good years ahead of him. He also has leadership qualities having captained South Africa in the past and will help to organise a defence that at times looked all at sea last season.
It is a transfer that should certainly provide a tick in the 'positives' box for Pirates fans. Sangweni is the younger brother of former Pirates stalwart Siyabonga Sangweni, who retired through injury in 2016. He is industrious and hard-working, tenacious when he does not have the ball and skillful when he does. He also has something that was at times lacking in the Pirates midfield last season -- football intelligence.
He is another player with experience and leadership qualities who can marshal the team, and it will be interesting to see if midfield partner Oupa Manyisa -- a quiet character by nature -- retains the captaincy this coming campaign.
Obiozor is a former Nigeria international who at the age of 22 remains a raw talent, but has the attributes to shine. He plays predominantly as a central forward but can also feature on the left-wing.
Pirates used Zimbabwean striker Tendai Ndoro -- remarkable in the first half of the campaign, dire in the second -- and Thamsanqa Gabuza last season as their central strikers, but now have some real competition in that position. Ghanaian forward Bernard Morrison looks to have potential but appeared to battle with the physicality of the PSL.
But if Pirates are to become a force again, they need more acquisitions ahead of the new campaign, primarily two new central defenders.
There was an obsession last season with playing left-back Thabo Matlaba out of position, either on the right or as a makeshift central defender, and it was an experiment that did not work. Other centre-back option are the ageing Happy Jele, Nigerian James Okwuosa and Ayanda Gcaba, another player who was originally a full-back. Youngster Tercious Malepe is also in the mix.
There has been talk of a recall for Justice Chabalala from his loan spell at Chippa United, but none of these options inspire confidence.
These players would arguably battle to get into any of the teams that finished in the top five last season and that tells you much about the soft centre at Pirates that was so cruelly exposed on a number of occasions last season.
Pirates kept nine clean sheets in the league last season, compared to 15 for champions Wits and 17 for runners-up Sundowns. That is the level they need to get back to.
Another central midfielder to replace the erratic Mpho Makola and Issa Sarr would be beneficial, as well as another forward to give Jonevret four strong options and provide competition.
That would be a start to get Pirates on the rise again, but it also comes down to the confidence in the team, the environment that is created for the players and the right tactics for the right opposition.
They have a big job on their hands.