There is a quiet sense of patience surrounding Etiosa Ighodaro at Kaizer Chiefs, with both the club and the player maintaining belief that he can still play a meaningful role before the season reaches its conclusion.
Ighodaro’s journey in Naturena has been anything but straightforward since his arrival in August.
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A promising signing brought in to help address Amakhosi’s long-standing goal-scoring concerns, the 24-year-old saw his start delayed by injury, forcing him to sit out the opening matches of the campaign.
When he eventually made his way onto the pitch between October and December, there were glimpses of what he could offer.
The Nigerian forward featured in four league matches during that period, along with three appearances in the CAF Confederation Cup, and he even scored a goal, as he gradually worked his way into contention.
However, just as momentum seemed within reach, another setback disrupted his progress.
Since December, Ighodaro has not featured in the last 12 matches across all competitions, leaving him with just seven appearances in total for the club.
Yet, those close to the club are not closing the door on him. A source close to the situation has indicated that Ighodaro is now back on the training pitch and firmly in the technical team’s thinking.
“He had a difficult period with injury, but he’s now fully back in training since Monday. He remains part of the plans, and the club is supporting him to contribute in the remaining matches of the season,” said the source.
That backing could prove crucial for a player who, prior to this campaign, had built a steady career trajectory through spells at the University of Pretoria, Chippa United, SuperSport United and AmaZulu FC.
Despite the limited returns so far, there are reasons for cautious optimism.
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The striker started six of the seven matches he featured in earlier this season, suggesting that when fit, he is trusted to lead the line.
With Chiefs still navigating a demanding run-in, there remains an opportunity for him to reintroduce himself and make an impact when it matters most.
