Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye claims Orlando Pirates youngster Mohau Nkota is better than Monnapule Saleng.
Nkota has been a revelation to the Pirates side since being promoted to the senior team by coach Jose Riveiro this season with some vital goals, especially in the CAF Champions League.
The 20-year-old has so far netted six goals and provided three assists in 30 matches and four of them came from the Champions League where Pirates reached the semi-final before their elimination by Egyptian side Pyramids last Friday.
Nkota scored twice at the group stages against CR Belouizdad as well as in the quarter-final when his goal against MC Alger sent Pirates to the semi-final and was on the scoresheet on Friday as the Soweto giants lost 3-2 to Pyramids.
Ex-Chiefs star full of praise for Nkota
The left-footed winger has taken the place of Saleng, who has been frozen out of the squad for unclear reasons, and Khanye feels there is no need to cry over the 2022-23 PSL Player of the Year as Nkota is even better.
“This is Nkota’s first season and I have to humble myself when it comes to the boy,” Khanye told iDiski TV.
“The thing is I was there when he was dropping [in form] but he has redeemed himself hence the compliment. The boy has something special. He is technically good, he has improved his game, he is consistent and gives the coach a headache.
Is the 20-year-old really better than Saleng?
“When you compare him to Monnapule Saleng for me the boy is better. I know that Monnapule Saleng is a better player in terms of experience and he has done well for his career. But this boy has a bright future ahead of him. Well done to [Relebohile] Mofokeng and this boy.”
It is a comparison that will likely generate debate given how highly Saleng is regarded with Pirates fans feeling that he has not been treated right even if Nkota has benefited from his exclusion from the squad.
With Pirates now focused on the PSL title race and the Nedbank Cup final against bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs, Nkota will play a vital role, starting with the Soweto Derby on Sunday.
