Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has addressed the absence of Etiosa Ighodaro from the club’s matchday squad in the past few weeks.
The Nigerian forward is in his first season at Chiefs after signing from rivals Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign. Ighodaro moved to Amakhosi after an unsettling stint with Sundowns, during which he was sent out on loan for the entire duration of his contract.
The talented striker arrived at Masandawana in July 2021 from Abuja College FC as one of the promising attackers on the African continent; however, he struggled to find his feet in the colours of Sundowns due to stiff competition in the striking department.
During his stint at Sundowns, Ighodaro had loan spells with teams such as AmaTuks, Chippa United, SuperSport United, and AmaZulu FC, where he constantly proved his scoring prowess.
With Ighodaro seeking a stable home in the PSL, he joined Chiefs on a permanent deal in July 2025. Since arriving at Chiefs, the 24-year-old has featured in seven appearances across all competitions and scored one goal.
KAZE CONFIRMS THAT IGHODARO IS SIDELINED WITH AN INJURY
Ighodaro has been a notable absentee from Chiefs’ matchday squad in the second round of the campaign, and his coach has revealed that the forward is sidelined due to an injury. The goal poacher missed two CAF Confederation Cup matches and two league games in 2026.
“I believe that when we started the second phase of the season, we had so many injuries of important offensive players like Glody Lilepo, and [Gaston] Sirino,” Kaze said.
“And when you have your best offensive players injured, it takes a toll but I’m pretty sure with the games progressing, we will get better [with scoring more goals].
“We have players that are coming back like George Matlou, Thabo Cele, [Sibongiseni] Mthethwa, and Bradley Cross. Those are the players with qualities we need because sometimes you can’t even rotate your offensive players. Even Ighodaro is injured, but expect him to be there in the next two weeks.”
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