Nigeria Players Abroad
Mamelodi Sundowns reverse decision on Etiosa Ighodaro after residency permit boost
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Mamelodi Sundowns have made a U-turn on the future of Nigerian forward Etiosa Ighodaro, opting to retain the 23-year-old following his acquisition of a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) in South Africa.
Initially expected to be released in order to free up a slot in the club’s foreign player quota, Ighodaro’s new local status has changed the equation.
With the PRP, the striker can now be registered as a domestic player, allowing Sundowns to keep him or sell him without affecting their foreign quota.
The development comes as a major setback for Kaizer Chiefs, who had been tracking Ighodaro as a top attacking target and were hoping to sign him as a free agent.
Chiefs will now be required to pay a transfer fee should they wish to pursue a deal.
According to Soccer Laduma, Sundowns plan to register Ighodaro as a local player next season and are now considering cashing in on him.
“Yes, they were planning to just release him,” a source told the publication.
“But with him obtaining his PRP, he can be registered as a local. That eases the foreign quota issue for Sundowns or any other team that signs him.”
Interest in Ighodaro is growing, with several South African clubs — including Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu FC, and Sekhukhune United — reportedly keen on acquiring the striker. Russian Premier League side FC Baltika has also entered the race, further intensifying competition for his signature.
Ighodaro, who has shown promise in recent seasons, now finds himself at the center of a multi-club tug-of-war ahead of the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League campaign.
