Latest news with #Ighodaro
The South African
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs still want Sundowns striker despite complications
Kaizer Chiefs may have already brought in fresh talent this transfer window, but the club continues to chase more attacking options before the 2025/2026 season kicks off. Mamelodi Sundowns striker Etiosa Ighodaro has emerged as a top priority for the Soweto giants. Ighodaro remains Chiefs' main target Despite several additions to their squad, Amakhosi have not shifted focus from their pursuit of Nigerian forward Etiosa Ighodaro. Chiefs see him as a critical piece to sharpen their frontline, but securing his signature won't come easy. According to a source, everything hinges on Sundowns' willingness to let go of the 24-year-old striker. 'At the moment Chiefs are waiting on Sundowns. Ighodaro has one year remaining on his contract with Sundowns and only if they can release him first as a free agent or if they can buy him from the remaining months on his contract. But Chiefs are interested in him and depending on what Sundowns' decision is then Chiefs would still sign him before the start of the season,' the source revealed. The major obstacle for Kaizer Chiefs lies in negotiating with Sundowns. Ighodaro, who signed a five-year deal in 2021, remains contracted to the Chloorkop club until June 2026. While Sundowns have never fielded him in an official match, they have consistently sent him out on loan, with his most recent stint at AmaZulu FC showcasing his goalscoring potential. Even if Sundowns give the green light, Ighodaro's immigration status might stall the deal. Chiefs must navigate potential visa hurdles before they can officially bring the Nigerian forward into their setup. The transfer saga surrounding Ighodaro highlights Amakhosi's determination to build a potent strike force this season. But legal and contractual roadblocks may delay their plans. Will Ighodaro eventually land at Kaizer Chiefs? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs remain silent on striker transfer leak
'I can't speak on anything right now until the club (Chiefs) makes announcements,' said Chiefs' Jessica Motaung Etiosa Ighodaro is said to be joining Kaizer Chiefs. Picture: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs caused a stir last weekend when an announcement video for striker Etiosa Ighodaro appeared to be leaked on social media. ALSO READ: Chiefs out to set stall for new season in Toyota Cup Kaizer Chiefs media team can't keep a secret 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 welcome in advance Ighodaro — Khoza (Mkhathini) (@NtokozoKhoza18) July 20, 2025 This is despite the 24 year-old seemingly still being contracted to Mamelodi Sundowns. Chiefs' Ighodaro issue Ighodaro spent last season on loan at AmaZulu, and would need to have been released from his contract by his parent club Sundowns, for Amakhosi to snap him up as a free agent. It is unclear, however, whether Sundowns have done this. 'I can't speak on anything right now until the club (Chiefs) makes announcements,' said Chiefs' marketing and commercial director Jessica Motaung this week, when quizzed about the Ighodaro 'leak'. Chiefs midfielder Samkelo Zwane, meanwhile, believes Chiefs are ready for the new season after a pre-season camp in the Netherlands. 'My body is tired, the players are tired, the trip to the Netherlands was a good one,' Zwane told Newzroom Africa 'I think all pre-seasons are like that, a place to understand our teammates and coach better.' Zwane added that the back-to-back games Amakhosi played was probably a deliberate tactic. Toyota Cup showdown 'From my understanding it was deliberate, to make sure we are physically ready for the new season.' ALSO READ: Sundowns winger set for exit after frustrating season Chiefs will play their next pre-season match against Asante Kotoko of Ghana on Saturday in the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The South African
a day ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs news: Ighodaro uncertainty fustrates Nabi
Kaizer Chiefs fans hoping to see Etiosa Ighodaro in gold and black may need to hold their breath a little longer. Despite growing speculation that the Nigerian striker was already signed, sources close to the situation have moved to shut that talk down. 'There's been a lot of talk about Ighodaro joining Chiefs, but the reports suggesting he has signed are inaccurate,' an insider confirmed. 'He is still assessing his options both locally and abroad. Nothing has been concluded.' This development is likely to frustrate head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who has already voiced his need for more transfer backing from the club's management. Following his Nedbank Cup win, which brought an end to Kaizer Chiefs' decade-long trophy drought, Nabi addressed his expectations moving forward. 'I wouldn't be honest if I said that I'm gonna stay if the club doesn't allow me to get all the tools to succeed,' Nabi said. 'That's the condition for me to stay because I don't feel that I want to go through what I went through this season.' At the heart of this is the pursuit of a reliable striker—something the club has struggled with in recent years. While Ighodaro would be a welcome addition, the lack of progress is cause for concern, especially with pre-season results falling short of expectations. Chiefs have managed just one win in five pre-season matches, and scrutiny is mounting from all angles. Club legend Tsepo Masilela recently criticized new left-back Nkhanyiso Shinga for his defensive frailties, suggesting tactical missteps are compounding the problem. 'Even the second goal (against Twente), there's a couple of times he got beaten in one-v-one situations,' Masilela said. 'He's comfortable on the ball, yes, but him inverting too much dragged Lilepo too deep.' With no sign of Ighodaro committing, and internal criticisms beginning to surface, Amakhosi's preparations appear far from settled. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
a day ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs and Nigerian striker; what's going on?
Kaizer Chiefs have been linked to Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro for weeks, but why have the Soweto giants not signed the Mamelodi Sundowns man? Ighodaro spent last season on loan to AmaZulu, where he scored five goals in 25 league matches. Although Amakhosi are keen on signing the 24-year-old forward, the former SuperSport United striker is weighing his options. 'There's been a lot of talk about Ighodaro joining Chiefs, but the reports suggesting he has signed are inaccurate,' Soccer Laduma reported. 'He is still assessing his options both locally and abroad. Nothing has been concluded'. Ighodaro is believed to be exploring a potential overseas move, with Moroccan side Maghreb Association Sportive de Fès (MAS Fès). If Amakhosi want to sign the Nigerian striker, they might need to pay more. Kaizer Chiefs have already signed a new striker this season. With Ranga Chivaviro gone, the Soweto giants found a replacement in Flavio Silva. The 29-year-old Portuguese was part of the squad that toured the Netherlands for three weeks and even played a few matches for the Glamour Boys. Chiefs have already confirmed six signings, which are: Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, Nkanyiso Shinga, Ethan Chislett, Flavio Silva, and Siphesihle Ndlovu. However, Ighodaro was not among the listed additions following the team's return from Europe. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Chiefs news: Top-rated striker slipping away away, defender drama
Kaizer Chiefs' pursuit of Nigeria's Etiosa Ighodaro remains in muddy waters as the player continues to weigh up his options. 'There's been a lot of talk about Ighodaro joining Chiefs, but the reports suggesting he has signed are inaccurate,' an insider revealed. 'He is still assessing his options both locally and abroad. Nothing has been concluded. AmaKhosi head coach Nasreddine Nabi has been vocal about his transfer demands from the club. 'I wouldn't be honest if say that I'm gonna stay if the club doesn't allow me to get all the tools to succeed next season because they have promised, and myself, I have promised the fans that I want to build a successful team that will compete in every competition to win trophies,' Nabi told SuperSportafter winning the Nedbank Cup final, ending Kaizer Chiefs' ten-year trophy drought. 'That's the condition for me to stay [at Chiefs] because I don't feel that I want to go through what I went through this season.' Kaizer Chiefs have won one of their five pre-season fixtures, raising alarm bells from fans to club legends. The latter relates to Tsepo Masilela, who has been vocal about his displeasure in left-back Nkhanyiso Shinga. 'To be honest, when I look at Shinga, interesting player, but defensively, there's been question marks, in my opinion,' he said. 'Even the second goal (conceded against Twente), there's a couple of times (even) in the previous games, he got beaten in one-v-one situations.' 'Your primary job as a defender is to win those duels, to be on top of the winger – that's how you gain confidence. Listen, he's comfortable on the ball, that we can't argue.' 'But again, him inverting most of the time, I found it that it was dragging (Makabi) Lilepo to receive the ball too deep, more like a left-back. I couldn't understand what's the idea of him inverting that much.' Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. You can also follow @ TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
