DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 13: Etiosa Godspower Ighodaro of AmaZulu FC and Sbangani Zulu of Royal AM during the Betway Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and Royal AM at Moses Mabhida Stadium on December 13, 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images),?øäøZ?þ
As the January transfer window approaches, clubs are evaluating potential signings, but AmaZulu FC are already planning beyond this period.
Insiders close to the club have indicated that Usuthu are believed to be interested in retaining Mamelodi Sundowns striker Etiosa Ighodaro on a permanent basis once his loan expires at the end of the season.
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Siya sources have added that finding reliable strikers has been challenging for AmaZulu, leading the club to focus on keeping Ighodaro, a player already familiar with their system.
“They have been looking for a striker and with Ighodaro on loan from Sundowns they are looking at keeping him permanently for next season and beyond. They don’t want to be looking around for a new striker while they have a striker who is there and they can negotiate for his services from Sundowns and they are working on that,” the Siya source stated.
A second insider, familiar with the player’s situation and Sundowns, noted that Ighodaro is eager to establish himself at a club where he can play regularly and potentially earn a move to Europe one day.
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“You remember when he was on loan at Chippa United there was interest from Belgium and even Egypt? Then last season he was at SuperSport United also on loan and this season he is at AmaZulu FC so he has made it clear he wants to play more regularly and have the interest from Europe or North Africa again. So, what AmaZulu wants would work because the player also wants to play regularly,” the second insider observed.
The 23-year-old Nigerian, under contract with Sundowns until June 2026, has never played an official game for the Brazilians. Instead, he has spent time on loan at the University of Pretoria, Chippa United, SuperSport United, and currently AmaZulu where he has played regularly while scoring goals.
AmaZulu FC PRO Pro Philani Ndlela declined to confirm the club’s interest in making the move permanent, stating, “Etiosa (Ighodaro) belongs to Mamelodi Sundowns. Out of respect for his parent club, we are not in any position to comment until the end of the season. Thank you,” Ndlela told Soccer Laduma.
As AmaZulu strategise for future seasons, securing Ighodaro could fortify their attacking line-up, providing stability and continuity. The move would benefit both club and player, aligning their ambitions as Ighodaro seeks to make a significant impact and pursue opportunities on larger stages.
Meanwhile, Usuthu are taking Zimbabwean striker Lynoth Chikuhwa on trial so that they don’t have to just rely on Ighodaro for goals in the second half of the campaign.
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