Extra time: Mamelodi Sundowns may have inadvertently built the most formidle attacking line in the PSL, writes Michael Madyira.
Imagine a Mamelodi Sundowns attacking combination between Peter Shalulile, Cassius Mailula and Etiosa Ighodaro.
And don’t forget Abubeker Nasir waiting to come on from the bench.
Such a scenario might remind some people of the Liverpool free-scoring days of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
With such a setup, chances of ending Sundowns’ domestic supremacy appear very slim.
Nigerian striker Ighodaro is a Masandawana forward on loan at Chippa United.
The 24-year-old has scored seven Premier Soccer League goals so far and is among the contenders for the Golden Boot.
If Ighodaro continues with this form Sundowns might not need to go shopping for a striker in the next player transfer window.
In July 2022, he was linked with Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade and in the event the Brazilians are not tempted to sell him to overseas suitors, they are likely to register him for next season.
Also, if Shalulile does not go to Saudi Arabia where there is reported interest in him and Mailula as well as Nasir stay, Masandawana will continue being bad news for their PSL rivals.
The likely partnership between these attackers would be a nightmare for PSL defenders.
Ighodaro’s current form is a bold warning, especially to Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, of what to expect from Sundowns next term.
It is a loud message for the Soweto giants to improve their transfer policies.
Chiefs and Pirates’ transfer business has been largely highlighted by flops in recent seasons.
They might need to be more precise in the market and even increase their transfer budgets to entertain any chances of catching up with the Brazilians.
After becoming a dominant force on the domestic front, Sundowns are not showing any signs of stopping in their relentless bid to conquer the continent.
Already, one of their loanees has given a hint of what they might look like next season.
Ighodaro is showing he could become another Themba Zwane or Percy Tau.
Pictured above: Etiosa Ighodaro
Image source: Ink Sport
