Mohau Nkota: Bafana Bafana Star Returns to Orlando Pirates After Spending Months Abroad
- Orlando Pirates have secured the return of winger Mohau Nkota, 21, on a season-long loan from Saudi Pro League side El-Ettifaq
- Nkota's stint in Saudi Arabia was disrupted by personal setbacks and a serious knee injury after joining Ettifaq ahead of the 2025/26 season
- The 21-year-old had a standout 2024/25 campaign with Pirates, contributing 12 goal involvements across 39 appearances, including in the CAF Champions League
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Orlando Pirates have completed the return of winger Mohau Nkota, with the 21-year-old joining the Buccaneers on a season-long loan from Saudi Pro League side El-Ettifaq. The move is expected to allow the young attacker to reignite his career and regain his momentum.
El-Ettifaq confirmed that Nkota would spend the season back at Orlando Pirates and wished the winger well during his return spell with the South African club.
Nkota's Saudi spell derailed by injury and personal hardship
Nkota moved to the Saudi Pro League ahead of the 2025/26 season after a breakthrough campaign at Pirates, but his time in the Middle East did not unfold as hoped.
Personal setbacks off the pitch, combined with a serious knee injury, severely limited his progress and ultimately cut short his contribution to Ettifaq.
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With his development stalled and his fitness rebuilt, the winger has now returned to Soweto temporarily in what amounts to a fresh start under familiar conditions.
A standout 2024/25 season to build on
Nkota's original departure from Pirates came on the back of one of the most productive seasons of his young career. Across 39 appearances in 2024/25, he contributed seven goals and five assists for the Buccaneers.
His performances in continental competition were particularly eye-catching. During Pirates' run to the CAF Champions League semi-final, Nkota scored four goals and provided two assists in nine matches, establishing himself as one of the more dangerous attackers in the tournament at that stage.
Those numbers formed the basis of interest from El-Ettifaq, and Pirates will now be counting on Nkota to recapture that form over the course of the coming season.
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Source: Briefly News
