Mpumalanga Black Aces coach Sammy Troughton, has signed Zambian international midfielder Clifford Mulenga and hopes the once bad boy of the Premier Soccer League, will turn out to be his trump card this season.

Aces, who were promoted along with First Division champions Jomo Cosmos, have collected four points in as many Absa Premiership matches.

But Troughton believes Mulenga could prove to be a big signing for the PSL newcomers. "I have worked with Mulenga when I coached Pretoria University three years ago and I am aware of his reputation that he can be difficult to work with.

"But I have had a good chat to him and thrown him a lifeline to resurrect his career. I hope to get the best out of him as I did at Tukkies."

Mulenga, who has played for Zambia at Under-17, Under-20, Under-23 and senior level, was loaned out by BidVest Wits to Thanda Royal Zulu last season.

After TRZ were relegated, however, Aces took their place and Mulenga was out of a job.

At the time Wits coach Roger de Sa, beefed up his squad with a number of quality signing in midfield such as Mark Haskins and former Bafana Bafana star Thando Mngomeni. That meant Mulenga was surplus to requirements at Milpark.

Said Troughton: "I was happy when I managed to get Mulenga on board. He was voted as the Young African Player of the Year two years ago and at 22 has plenty to offer.

"He is more settled in his personal life and that is a big plus factor for him and Aces. I know what he can do. He could be a huge asset to us if I can get him right."

Troughton, who guided Aces to the top flight, said he would use the 10-day FIFA International window to blood Mulenga into his squad. He has also signed a promising young central defender, Bongani Zulu, on loan from PSL champions SuperSport United.

"We will be playing a couple of friendly matches during the break, which should help Mulenga settle in and hopefully he will be fighting fit for our next fixture against Platinum Stars at home on September 12."

Troughton added it had been a tough baptism into the PSL for his players. "We have lost two games against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cosmos where I felt we could have got a point.

"But we are starting to adapt and settle in. I am not worried about setting targets, we must simply focus on one game at a time. "We have shown we can compete and we will improve with time and experience."