Ighodaro Embraces New Challenge at AmaZulu FC After Sundowns Loan

Etiosa Ighodaro, the newly signed striker for AmaZulu FC, recently shared his thoughts on being loaned out once again by Mamelodi Sundowns. Having returned to Masandawana after a loan spell with SuperSport United, Ighodaro hoped to make an impact at his parent club this season.

However, he’s now set to play in the Zulu kingdom with Usuthu, marking his fourth loan since joining the Tshwane-based club from Abuja College in 2021.

Ighodaro is confident in his skills, asserting that his performance isn’t the issue. “For me, it’s not about my performance; I know I can walk into any club,” he stated after being unveiled by the Durban-based team.

He believes that the decision to not register him at Sundowns isn’t due to his abilities, but rather other plans the club may have for him. “They have their own plans for me, and I also work hard for myself,” he added.

Dreams of Returning to Sundowns

Despite being loaned out again, Ighodaro still dreams of playing for Sundowns. He expressed his desire to showcase his talent at the club, acknowledging that the decision to loan him out wasn’t his.

“It’s a very big club to showcase myself in; I would love to play for Sundowns, but it’s not something that’s in my power,” he said. “I need to keep trying.”

The Challenge of Foreign Player Quotas

Ighodaro also touched on the challenges of securing a spot at Sundowns due to the foreign player quota. “The foreign space there is always full because Sundowns have players from overseas, South America, and everywhere,” he explained.

He mentioned that obtaining permanent residency could potentially help him play as a local, reducing the need for further loan moves.

“At the end of this season, we will see what happens because I have offers from other clubs as well,” he noted. “After this, there will be no more reason to loan me out.”

A Tough Decision

The decision to move to AmaZulu FC was not an easy one for Ighodaro.

He described it as a tough choice that “doesn’t make any sense,” but he remains hopeful for the future. He is determined to make the most of his time at AmaZulu and continue to strive for his career goals.