Bafana Bafana Winger Mohau Nkota Wins Hearts at Al-Ettifaq as He Begins Saudi Adventure
Mohau Nkota, the promising young winger from Bafana Bafana, is already making waves with his new Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, quickly endearing himself to the club’s young supporters as he settles into his latest career chapter.
Nkota’s move to Saudi Arabia has been a whirlwind journey. After officially departing Orlando Pirates, where he spent just one impactful season with the first team, the 20-year-old rapidly transitioned from Spain to Portugal to join Al-Ettifaq’s pre-season camp with his new teammates. Pirates confirmed the transfer on Sunday, revealing Nkota had signed a three-year contract with the Eastern Province-based club.
The Kimberley-born winger’s rise was swift at the Buccaneers. Having shone under Joseph Makhanya’s guidance with the DStv Diski Challenge side, Nkota made 39 appearances across all competitions last season for Orlando Pirates, netting seven goals — three in the Betway Premiership and four on the prestigious CAF Champions League stage.
His performances earned him a nomination for the Betway Premiership Young Player of the Year, highlighting his growing stature in South African football. At Al-Ettifaq, Nkota has already begun capturing attention off the pitch, seen signing autographs for enthusiastic young fans — a promising sign of the bond he is building with supporters abroad.
The football fraternity back home has been abuzz with reactions to Nkota’s move. Legendary Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Doctor Khumalo weighed in on the significance of this opportunity during an appearance on the 10bet DNA podcast with Andile Ncube, emphasizing the importance of international exposure for young South African talent.
As Nkota embarks on this exciting new chapter in the Saudi Pro League, his early positive reception at Al-Ettifaq hints at a bright future. Fans both in South Africa and abroad will be watching closely as this young winger continues to develop and make his mark on the global stage.
