Etiosa Ighodaro: Who is the 'next Osimhen' & reported Kaizer Chiefs target?

It’s proving to be another testing season for Arthur Zwane’s side, with problems in the attacking zone affecting their ability to trouble reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

They’ve been recommended to sign another player currently plying his trade in the PSL, but who is Etiosa Ighodaro, who’s been recommended to the Amakhosi?

The striker moved to United from the University of Pretoria in August 2022, with the Chilli Boys swooping to pick up the Nigerian frontman, who had previously impressed in the lower divisions.

He scored four goals in 18 games in the second division, and is currently at United on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, who clearly see a bright future for the West African.

Ighodaro was born in Benin City, in the west of Nigeria, in the summer of 2001.

He’s currently 21, and has time on his side as he’s looking to make his mark in South African football.

The forward hasn’t exactly set the world alight in the South African top flight, but his record of five goals in 12 outings so far at least demonstrates that he knows where the goal is.

Encouragingly for Chiefs, unlike Basomboli, he has already shown that he can score goals in the PSL, and the division wouldn’t represent new ground for him.

Encouragingly for Chiefs—perhaps—Adebayo also likened Ighodaro to in-form Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who has been setting Serie A alight with his goal return this term.

“He will get into double figures this season and contest for the top goal scorer while playing for Chippa and that should give you the biggest indication about what he is all about,” Adebayo continued.

“I see him ultimately getting invited for the Super Eagles because he has the potential to do what Victor Osimhen is doing for Napoli.”

If he’s that good, then perhaps Chiefs do need to prioritise his signing!

According to sources in the South African press, Ighodaro has attracted interest from Europe, with Serbian heavyweights Partizan Belgrade understood to have made an offer for his services.

Sundowns rejected their approach, but with Ighodaro finding the net at a semi-regular basis in the PSL, don’t be surprised if they come calling again.

If reports are true—that Sundowns rejected an offer of R8,5 million for the forward—then Chiefs would have to stump up a serious fee to bring the attacker to Naturena.

In fact, it’s a price point that would likely take him out of reach of the Amakhosi, who instead opted to look in the bargain bins to sign Basomboli from Zambian football.

Former Nigerian player Abayomi Adebayo, in an interview conducted with the South African media, reportedly recommended the forward to Chiefs…suggesting that Ighodaro could solve their scoring woes.

“That boy can do a job for any club in the PSL, be it Kaizer Chiefs who have been hunting for a striker,” said Adebayo as quoted by KickOff. “You need to understand that when a player has confidence going for him like is the case with Etiosa, he can do anything regardless of the club that he is with.

“With the way he is going, he is now ready and can play for any club.”