Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has shared his thoughts about Etiosa Ighodaro after the striker scored his first goal in Amakhosi colours on Sunday.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns man opened the scoring as Amakhosi beat AS Simba 3-1 at Dobsonville Stadium. Glody Lilepo and Zitha Kwinika added their names to the scoresheet in this CAF Confederation Cup Second Preliminary Round, second leg tie.
It was a crucial result which sent the Soweto giants into the group stage of the continent’s second-tier club competition.
Going into Sunday’s game with a grim record of failing to score in three successive matches, serious questions were being raised about Chiefs’ forwards. But Ighodaro broke the goal drought amid talk about Amakhosi’s attacking frailties.
The 24-year-old was making his second appearance for Amakhosi and scored his maiden goal after arriving at Naturena in September.
IS IGHODARO THE STRIKER CHIEFS HAVE BEEN MISSING?
Kaze was left waxing lyrical about the striker: “I believe that it’s not easy to find that kind of striker. He is a scorer and a player who can help.
“Sometimes you are struggling, you are defending deep down, and he is a player who, if there is a rebound or we play forward, he can hold the ball and allow the whole team to come up.
“It gives you the energy, and it allows every player to get in their right position going forward. I would say we had missed that a lot because sometimes the ball goes forward and we lose it very quickly, then we have to come back, and it’s like a game of transition.
“But to have that kind of striker is very helpful.”
Other Chiefs’ new signings, Flavio Silva and Khanyisa Mayo, heightened expectations by scoring on their debuts. But they appear to have fizzled down, and Ighodaro would want to build on the hopes he raised.
RELATED STORY: Chiefs coach sets timeline for Etiosa Ighodaro debut