Millions Pirates have banked in five months from Nkota and Mbokazi sale

Orlando Pirates are flying in the PSL but it is not just on the league table where they are leading as they are also smiling to the bank.

Pirates have raked in over R80 million from just two players in a space of five months following the sale of two of their most prized young players.

At the close of last season, it was Relebohile Mofokeng who was heavily linked with a move abroad but despite weeks of speculation, he stayed at Pirates.

However, it is Mohau Nkota who moved first, pulling off a surprise big-money move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in July this year after just eight months in the senior team.

How much did Nkota bring in for Pirates?

Mohau Nkota Orlando Pirates — Mohau Nkota when he signed for Al-Ettifaq.

Nkota had made just 37 appearances for Pirates, scoring seven goals and weighing in with five assists, and that was still enough to convince Al-Ettifaq to sign him in a deal reported to be worth about R30 million paid to Pirates.

The winger has continued to flourish in Saudi where he has two goals and as many assists in 10 games across all competitions. He did not need any adaptation as he was slotted straight into the first team and responded by scoring on his debut.

Five months later and Pirates have sold yet another highly-rated young player in defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has joined MLS club Chicago Fire.

Mbokazi signed for much more money

Mbekezeli Mbokazi has signed for Chicago Fire.

Mbokazi’s signing was confirmed on Tuesday and he will head to the United States at the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in readiness for the 2026 campaign.

Like Nkota, Mbokazi, also spent just eight months as a senior Pirates player before joining paid ranks abroad, signing for Chicago Fire after 38 games in the colours of Pirates, for a deal believed to be worth $3 million (R51 million) in transfer fees.

That has seen Pirates bank R81 million from the two players in a period of five months, making them the club that has brought in the most this season from player sales among the 16 PSL sides.

With Mofokeng still linked with a transfer abroad, the Buccaneers could be in line to make much more before the end of the season or at the conclusion of the current campaign.