MATSAPHA – Rising South African striker Mohau Nkota has completed a move from Orlando Pirates to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq, after a breakout debut season that caught the attention of clubs beyond the continent.
The 20-year-old forward, who scored seven goals and registered a total of 12 goal contributions in 39 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, will undergo a medical before the deal is finalised. Pirates confirmed the transfer in a statement on Sunday, thanking Nkota and wishing him well.
The move, while lucrative, has sparked debate among football observers in Eswatini and beyond. Known for attracting ageing stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, the Saudi Pro League is rarely seen as a development path for young African talent. Critics suggest a European transfer would have been a better career step for the promising striker.
Nkota’s stock has been rising quickly. In June, he made his debut for Bafana Bafana in an international friendly against Tanzania, a match that ended in a goalless draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
“Everyone at Orlando Pirates wishes Mohau Nkota the very best as he begins this exciting new chapter in his career,” the club added.
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