As reported in late June, Kaizer Chiefs reportedly listed Etiosa Ighodaro in the travelling squad for pre-season training camp in the Netherlands, but that was where it ended.
Although negotiations have progressed in recent weeks, a combination of paperwork and league regulations has stalled the potential transfer.
Kaizer Chiefs are keen to finalise the deal, but the club’s foreign player quota has proven to be a significant hurdle.
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Ighodaro, who spent the previous season on loan at AmaZulu FC from Sundowns, has impressed with his skill and work rate, making him an appealing target for Kaizer Chiefs.
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However, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) rules limit each club to five foreign players, and Amakhosi have already reached that maximum. This technicality has complicated what could otherwise have been a straightforward move.
“He is training on his own,” a source told Soccer Laduma. “It’s believed that his head is affected by the interest from Kaizer Chiefs and that he still has a running contract with Sundowns, so he is at a crossroads right now.
“But because he wants to remain fit, he is training on his own for now. Kaizer Chiefs haven’t given up on him. They are still working behind the scenes to try and get him for this season.
“They have a chance of registering him as a local player if they can sign him as he is waiting for his Permanent Residence Permit papers as well. So Chiefs are looking at all those possibilities to sign him,” the insider added.
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