Nigeria’s Etiosa Ighodaro and 4 Mamelodi Sundowns Stars Who Never Played a Game for the Brazilians

• Mamelodi Sundowns have signed many players over the years that they never gave game time to
• Etiosa Ighodoro was signed by Mamelodi Sundowns in 2021 but hasn't played a game for them yet
• Mozambique's Luis Miquissone was signed by Pitso Mosimane for Sundowns and then later for Al Ahly

Many football players dream of playing for a big team like Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Brazilians are hugely successful and have attracted the interest of many stars over the years.

While they have signed up a lot of talent, not everyone has got to run out on the pitch wearing the team's colours.

Sports Brief looks at some stars signed by the Brazilians who never made an appearance for them.

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5 players Sundowns signed but never used

Etiosa Ighodaro

In July 2021, the South African side signed Nigeria's Ighodaro from Abuja College, but didn't make use of his services.

The striker was sent out on loan to sides like Chippa United and the University of Pretoria, and despite impressing there, he still didn't earn a call-up to the Sundowns squad.

The Nigerian is still contracted by the DStv Premiership champions, but is currently on loan at SuperSport United.

Ighodaro has scored 19 goals in 62 games since moving to South Africa, Transfermarkt noted.

Luvuyo Phewa

Phewa has already produced Man of the Match performances, but they haven't been in the colours of Sundowns.

The 24-year-old joined the side from Real Kings in 2020, but like Ighodaro, he was also loaned out to Chippa United and AmaTuks.

Phewa is currently at Cape Town Spurs on loan, having spent six months there last season. With the club earning promotion to the DStv Premiership, Phewa signed another season-long deal with the team.

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Ismail Watenga

Watenga also arrived at Sundowns in 2020 and went out on loan to The Chilli Boys.

The Ugandan keeper is still contracted to the side, and is currently on loan at Lamontville Golden Arrows.

With Ronwen Williams holding down the number one position at the champions, earning a place in the squad will be no easy feat.

His loan deal expires at the end of the current season, so all eyes will be on the keeper's next move and whether he will get a game for Sundowns.

Luis Miquissone

Signed in 2018 by Pitso Mosimane, the Mozambican spent two seasons on loan at Chippa United before leaving the Brazilians.

Miquissone then joined Simba SC in Tanzania and impressed so much for the side, that Mosimane signed again, this time for Al Ahly.

He failed to live up to the hype and was eventually released by the Egyptian side in 2024, iDiskiTimes reported.

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The 28-year-old returned to okay his football in Tanzania after his release.

Katkego Otladisa

Otladisa is currently plying his trade at Orlando Pirates but was never given a chance to do that at Sundowns.

The winger signed for the side in January 2019 from Platinum Stars, but never got a game.

After three years, he joined Maruno Gallants, where he caught the eye of the Buccaneers.

Otladisa has only made nine appearances for the club in all competitions and has yet to score or assist. He also hasn't played a game this year.

Ighodaro moves from Sundowns to SuperSport

Sports Brief reported previously how Nigeria’s Ighodaro joined SuperSport United on loan from Sundowns.

The striker first joined the DStv Premiership champions in 2021, but was immediately loaned out to AmaTuks.

The following season, he went to Chippa United, where he scored 11 goals before he was loaned out to SuperSport.