Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs could be set for their first departure of 2026, and all signs point to striker Tashreeq Morris to make way.
The emergence of Etiosa Ighodaro has changed everything for other strikers at Amakhosi.
The 24-year-old Nigerian has hit the ground running, scoring in his second appearance and convincing the technical team that he’s the missing piece up front.
ETIOSA IGHODARO GIVES CONFIDENCE TO KAIZER CHIEFS COACHES
Co-coach Cedric Kaze could hardly hide his excitement after Ighodaro’s debut goal, calling him “the answer” Amakhosi had been searching for in the number nine role. “It’s not easy to find that kind of striker,” Kaze told journalists after the CAF Confederation Cup win over AS Simba.
“He’s a scorer and a player who can help. Sometimes you are struggling, you are defending deep, he’s a player when there is a rebound or when we play forward, he can hold the ball, allow the whole team to come up. It gives you that energy, it allows every player to get in his right position going forward.
“I’ll say we have missed that a lot. Sometimes the ball goes forward, and we lose it very quickly and it comes back, it’s a game of transition.
“To have that kind of [hold-up] striker is very helpful,” the Kaizer Chiefs mentor added.
TASHREEQ MORRIS TO MAKE WAY
Success for one striker often spells trouble for another. Amakhosi already had two players in the same mould, Flavio da Silva and Tashreeq Morris, and both are now fighting for scraps of game time.
Da Silva, signed from Indonesia’s Persebaya Surabaya, has shown glimpses of promise with two goals in five games, but questions remain over whether he has the all-round technical quality to thrive in the Betway Premiership.
Morris, however, has found things even tougher. The 31-year-old is yet to score in 11 appearances, and while his strength and hold-up play can’t be faulted, he’s struggled to meet the high technical demands of Amakhosi supporters.
Additionally, the 21-year-old Wandile Duba is waiting in the wings; the writing seems to be on the wall for Morris.
Meanwhile, Ighodaro’s rise could also free Khanyisa Mayo to return to his natural position on the right wing.
Also read: Bafana Bafana star names his favourite Kaizer Chiefs player