With a name like Godspower, there is seemingly nothing he cannot do. It is very little wonder then that SuperSport United have made the most of their partnership with their crosstown rivals Mamelodi Sundowns to secure the services of lethal Nigerian forward Etiosa Ighodaro, albeit on loan, for the 2023/24 season. The burly marksman managed 10 goals for Chippa United last season, a feat that helped the Gqeberha-based outfit to retain their DStv Premiership status. As if to continue from where he left off last season, he hit the ground running by scoring on debut for the Gavin Hunt-led side. He is looking to build on his healthy momentum, but the gaze of his mother club from a distance is not something that occupies his mind. Rather, he is looking to follow in the footsteps of his fellow countrymen that have left an indelible mark on the Premier Soccer League, as he tells Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver in this interview.
Delmain Faver: Etiosa, firstly, congratulations on your move to SuperSport United, where you've already found the back of the net, on debut against Richards Bay FC. How are you feeling?
Etiosa Ighodaro: I'm really excited. It's a very good environment, so I'm looking forward to work with the technical team and the players. So, I'm happy.
DF: Having watched you in training at the club's event a fortnight ago, it looks like the players have already embraced you. They are already so used to you and also, when you score, it seems they admire your quality. It must be really good to be in a team where your qualities are appreciated…
EI: Yeah, like I said, it's a very, very good environment. The players and everybody supports me and I'm willingly looking forward to work with the players and achieve more with them.
DF: We know that Gavin Hunt is a coach who can bring the best out of his players if you work hard for him. What has it been like working with him in this short space of time?
EI: I looked forward to working with him. He's a very good coach. I think people are going to really see the best of me this season, so I'm excited.
DF: Hearing that is frightening. A lot of people thought they had seen the best of you last season at Chippa United, and the thought of you getting better is quite exciting.
EI: No, Chippa is one of the good teams, although it is a smaller team. I feel like SuperSport is one of the teams that compete, you understand? So, I feel like it's gonna be more easier for me. I don't have to look back this season and worry about possibly getting relegated. I just have to look forward and try to win stuff for the team, win cups for the team and fight for the players.
DF: With Terrence Dzvukamanja and Bradley Grobler alongside you, Matsatsantsa have arguably one of the best strike forces in the DStv Premiership. With the latter now injured, do you see the partnership between yourself and the Zimbabwean forward flourishing?
EI: I'm really happy. They are very, very experienced players, so I'm also looking forward to learning from them. I'm really happy that I have those two to back me up and push me, I'm really happy.
DF: This is going to be your second season in the topflight, having also played in the second tier. Do you think defenders are now a bit more aware of the threat you pose because last season it seemed like you had just come out of nowhere and you started scoring goals?
EI: No, the challenge is for me to, you know, raise the bar and work hard. Last season is gone. This is a new season, so I have to approach this season with a different approach and mindset. So, it's just like that.
DF: In 2022/23, you weren't too far off Peter Shalulile and Khanyisa Mayo for the Golden Boot. Is that something that you have set as a target for yourself?
EI: Yeah, but last season my team was not really in a good position, so I wasn't really looking forward to being there. I just wanted my team to survive. So, I feel like this season when I don't have to look back, with the players that I have around me, the technical team, I will do really well this season.
DF: The other thing that you must obviously be constantly aware of is that Mamelodi Sundowns are watching. As your parent club, they track your performances. Does that put a bit more pressure on you to perform knowing that they are constantly monitoring what you are doing?
EI: No, for me it's not about showing my talent and my quality. I don't really care who's watching me. It's me doing what I love, what I'm able to do. So, I don't really look or check who's watching me. I just do what I do. I look at my own ability and what I'm able to do. I don't look at who is watching, I do what I love, and that's it.
DF: For the most part, Nigerian strikers in the PSL have a history of doing well if given the chance. There is also a shorter period of adjusting compared to other players. What is the factor that helps you perform as you do?
EI: No, I feel like as Nigerian players, we (have) got the heart and the mindset. That when we say we are gonna do something, I think we work very hard to achieve it. So, it's like that – our mindset is really, really strong and (we are) pushing no matter which league we play in.
DF: SuperSport, by virtue of finishing third last season, have secured a place in the CAF Confederation Cup, which provides you with the first opportunity to show the continent what you are about. That must be a mouthwatering prospect, right?
EI: Yeah, I'm really excited and I'm looking forward to the adventure in Africa. Like I said, I have to work hard so that I can showcase myself worldwide and within Africa.
DF: SuperSport aren't scared to let their best-performing players leave for greener pasture, meaning there's even the opportunity of going overseas for you. Seeing that you still belong to the Brazilians, do you think this is a club that can put you in that shop window to showcase your talent for the world to see?
EI: Yeah. I feel like SuperSport is one of the top five teams in South Africa, so I feel like it's gonna be easier to sell myself, to show the world my talent. So, I feel like it's gonna be much easier.
DF: The team finished behind Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the league last season. What is the talk in and amongst the players about what you want to achieve this time around?
EI: We've got a very, very nice squad. I feel like if we work together, trust each other and push each other, we could end up in a very, very nice place in the league and also in the cup. So, my own goal is trying to win a cup, definitely. So, (we are) trying to work together and believe that we can do it.
DF: Having scored an impressive 10 goals in the league last season, have you set yourself a target this season in terms of a number you want to achieve having gotten off the mark already?
EI: I'll always say that there is no number. I feel like I should just score. If I can score more and we win more, there's no target to scoring. My job is scoring, so I feel like scoring every day and every game is my number one priority. So, to answer your question, there is no number, I just want to score goals.
DF: The likes of Olisa Ndah, Augustine Kwem, Daniel Akpeyi, Chibuike Ohizu, Obinna Okafor, Abdul Ajagun are all plying their trade in South Africa's topflight. Do you guys keep in touch at all?
EI: Ha, ha, ha, I feel like we know each other, but I'm close to just one because obviously we were together at Chippa last season – Stanley Nwabili. So, we are very good friends. But with the others, we are not really close, like, in terms of phoning each other and all, but we know each other.
DF: Etiosa, thank you and good luck for the rest of the season. We are looking forward to seeing you banging in those goals.
EI: Thank you very much.
ETIOSA IGHODARO FACT FILE
Full name: Etiosa Godspower Ighodaro
Date of birth: 1 January 1999
Place of birth: Benin City, Nigeria
Nickname: Eto'o
Jersey number: 9
Position: Striker
Club: SuperSport United (on loan)
Previous clubs: Abuja College (Nigeria), Mamelodi Sundowns, University of Pretoria, Chippa United (both on loan)
Honours: 2020/21 GladAfrica Championship runner-up (with University of Pretoria)
