Nigeria Players Abroad
Nabi remains confident in Kaizer Chiefs’ striker search as Etiosa Ighodaro deal stalls
By Dayo Awoniyi
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has confirmed the club’s interest in Mamelodi Sundowns forward Etiosa Ighodaro but revealed that administrative hurdles are delaying the potential deal.
The Soweto giants, fresh off a pre-season training camp in the Netherlands, have been among the most active clubs in the current transfer window as they prepare for the 2025/26 campaign. Chiefs are looking to build on the momentum of their Nedbank Cup triumph in May, which ended a decade-long trophy drought with a dramatic win over Orlando Pirates.
Nabi has already overseen the arrival of six new players: Ethan Chislett, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Nkanyiso Shinga, Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, and Portuguese forward Flavio Silva. However, the Tunisian tactician insists the club’s transfer business is far from complete.
Nigerian striker Ighodaro, who scored six goals in 27 appearances while on loan at AmaZulu last season, remains a priority target. The 22-year-old is still under contract with Sundowns.
“That player, Ighodaro, belongs to another team with administrative issues, but he or another striker on our transfer list will be welcomed,” Nabi told FARPost on Tuesday.
“I saw him play for AmaZulu last season and I believe he’s a good player. But he doesn’t belong to our club, so we can’t say much more about it. For now, we’ll wait to hear from our administration if he or another striker will join.”
With the South African transfer window open until early September, Chiefs supporters remain hopeful the club will add firepower up front to support their renewed ambitions under Nabi’s leadership.
