Kaizer Chiefs fans waiting for news about the club’s next big signing might have to be patient a little longer.
Despite strong interest in striker Etiosa Ighodaro, the club has hit pause on any new foreign signings—including the Mamelodi Sundowns forward—due to Premier Soccer League (PSL) foreign player quota rules and some lingering paperwork.
The club’s top brass still have their eyes on Ighodaro, but there’s one key hurdle standing in the way: his Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) is still pending.
Ighodaro Deal Stuck in Limbo
The Nigerian striker remains on Kaizer Chiefs’ radar, but until he gets the official go-ahead on his residency status, the club can’t move forward.
Under current PSL rules, clubs are allowed a maximum of five foreign players in their squad—and right now, Chiefs are already at capacity.
An insider close to the deal explained, “Chiefs are still very interested in Ighodaro.
He’s already qualified for a PRP, but until it’s approved, they can’t register him as a local player.
That’s the only thing stopping the deal at the moment.”
Who’s Already on the Foreign Player List?
As it stands, the club’s five foreign player slots are already filled.
The current line-up includes:
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Fiacre Ntwari (Rwanda, goalkeeper)
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Inacio Miguel (Angola, defender)
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Edson Castillo (Venezuela, midfielder)
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Makabi Lilepo (DR Congo, forward)
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Flavio Silva (Angola, forward – newly signed)
With the quota full, no new foreign player—including Ighodaro—can be signed or registered unless someone leaves or receives local status.
Could a Midfield Exit Open the Door?
There might be a flicker of hope. One potential change could come from within: Edson Castillo has reportedly submitted a request to leave the club.
If his move goes through, it would free up one of those five precious foreign spots—immediately creating space for Ighodaro.
There’s also some speculation around Yusuf Maart’s future, which could indirectly influence the club’s overall roster strategy.
Chiefs’ Strategy Hinges on the PRP Timeline
Until Castillo’s situation is resolved—or until Ighodaro’s PRP is officially granted—Kaizer Chiefs have no choice but to hold off on signing any more foreign talent.
The club remains hopeful, though, and all eyes are on the Department of Home Affairs to speed up that paperwork.
For now, fans will need to sit tight and wait for the green light.
But if everything lines up, we could still see Ighodaro in black and gold before the transfer window closes.