Just when Kaizer Chiefs fans thought they were getting closer to seeing Etiosa Ighodaro don the famous gold and black jersey, things have hit a pause.
While online buzz has been swirling with reports claiming the Nigerian striker had already signed, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.
Sources close to the negotiations have poured cold water on the rumors, saying that Ighodaro is very much still weighing his options—and nothing has been finalized yet.
Mixed Messages Around Ighodaro’s Future
“There’s been a lot of talk about Ighodaro joining Chiefs, but those reports are not true,” one insider said.
“He’s still exploring both local and international opportunities. Nothing’s signed, nothing’s sealed.”
That uncertainty isn’t just frustrating for the fans—it’s becoming a real point of concern for head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who’s been very vocal about the support he needs if he’s going to stay and succeed.
Nabi’s Warning to Management
After leading Kaizer Chiefs to a much-needed Nedbank Cup victory—breaking a decade-long trophy drought—Nabi laid out his terms moving forward. And he didn’t mince his words.
“I wouldn’t be honest if I said I’d stay without the tools to succeed,” he said. “That’s the condition.
I’m not prepared to go through another season like this past one.”
Translation: if management doesn’t back him in the transfer market, he may not stick around.
The Ongoing Striker Struggle
One of the biggest tools Nabi needs? A reliable striker.
That’s been a glaring weakness for Chiefs, and a player like Ighodaro could’ve helped change the game.
But with negotiations stalling and the striker still undecided, time is ticking—and the season isn’t waiting.
Meanwhile, the club’s pre-season form hasn’t inspired much confidence either.
Chiefs have only managed one win out of five matches, and that sluggish start is raising red flags.
Masilela Criticizes Defensive Mistakes
Even within the squad, issues are bubbling up.
Club legend Tsepo Masilela didn’t hold back when he called out new left-back Nkhanyiso Shinga for his defensive lapses in recent friendlies.
“Look at that second goal against Twente,” Masilela said.
“There were a few one-on-one situations where he got beaten.
Sure, he’s good on the ball, but his habit of cutting inside too much is messing with Lilepo’s positioning.”
A Team in Transition—and Under Pressure
With Ighodaro still on the fence, criticism flying, and pre-season results falling flat, it’s clear that Chiefs are heading into the new season with more questions than answers.
There’s a real sense that this transfer window needs to deliver, or things could unravel quickly.