Chiefs striker scrutinized: He is under pressure and runs the risk…
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Etiosa Ighodaro is facing a season of pressure at Kaizer Chiefs after an injury ravaged first year.
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Chiefs striker scrutinized: He is under pressure and runs the risk…
Aug 20, 2026 – 01:41 pm
By Lovemore Moyo
The rule has been run over Etiosa Ighodaro as he takes aim at improved fortunes in his second season at Kaizer Chiefs.
Ighodaro’s first season was as frustrating as the injuries that accompanied his campaign, as he ended with a single goal.
READ: Bafana defender caught up in deepening suspense at club
Etiosa signed a two-year deal with an option of a third when he joined Amakhosi, and this season will ultimately determine whether that extra year gets activated. From all his time in the PSL, the 25-year-old has only ever reached double figures in a season once — and that was while he was at Chippa United.
Fellow Nigerian Obinna Okafor, a former striker who turned out for Maritzburg United/Classic and Benoni Premier United, knows exactly what it takes to carry the burden of being a number nine in the PSL — and he believes Etiosa faces an uphill battle under new coach Fernando da Cruz.
“He has been injured for a while, so there are a lot of challenges and hurdles that might prove too high ahead for him under a new coach,” Okafor warned.
“He is under pressure at Chiefs and runs the risk of having supporters calling for his head soon if goals don’t come. He is a good player, yes, but did he deserve to be at Chiefs? For a team like Chiefs, you need to sign players who have made a name for themselves.”
Okafor did not mince his words when assessing whether Ighodaro was the right fit for the Glamour Boys, questioning both the recruitment process and the player’s mental readiness for the demands of Naturena.
“Chiefs is a traditional team bound by society and so have higher expectations from their players, especially a foreign number nine. Chiefs needs to learn how to sign players,” he added.
“With Etiosa, good player and wonderful technique, but mental-wise, has he established himself well enough to be expected to be the man to deliver goals at Chiefs? What did Chiefs sign Etiosa for? Did they sign him for goals? So now, these are questions that we need answers for before we raise expectations about what he can bring to Chiefs.”
Okafor concluded by questioning whether the 25-year-old would even be kept beyond this season, while also pointing to broader issues at Akhosi that extend beyond the individual.
“He is under pressure to perform this season, and do you look at him as someone that will be kept beyond this season? Only time will tell. I think he will struggle at Chiefs because this is a club that hasn’t been on a winning trail for anyone to come there and perform.
“Also, the issue of supply should be considered because for a striker to function, he needs to be serviced well. But then he still has the season ahead of him,” Okafor concluded.
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