Orlando Pirates announce shock return of fan favourite after stint abroad

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Orlando Pirates announce shock return of fan favourite after stint abroad
Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando Pirates. Image - Star

Orlando Pirates have confirmed the return of winger Mohau Nkota, who rejoins the club on a season-long loan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.

The 21-year-old departed the Buccaneers for Al-Ettifaq ahead of the 2025/26 season, but his time in Saudi Arabia was marred by a series of setbacks. A challenging start, personal difficulties, and a significant knee injury hampered his progress and limited his impact.

Mohau Nkota celebrates after scoring on his debut for Al Ettifaq.
Mohau Nkota celebrates after scoring on his debut for Al Ettifaq. Photo: Al-Ettifaq

This temporary move back to his former club provides Nkota with a crucial opportunity to regain his form, rebuild his confidence, and get his promising career back on track.

Before his transfer abroad, Nkota had become a key figure for the Pirates during a breakout 2024/25 campaign. He made a significant impact, scoring seven goals and providing five assists across 39 appearances for the Soweto giants.

Bafana star’s rise to prominence at Pirates

His talent particularly shone on the continental stage, where he was instrumental in the club’s run to the CAF Champions League semi-finals. In that competition, he scored four goals and set up two more in just nine matches, highlighting his potential on the biggest stage.

It was this impressive form that earned him the move to Al-Ettifaq. He started life in Saudi brilliantly, scoring two goals and providing a couple of assists in his first seven games.

Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota, Orlando Pirates
Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota, Orlando Pirates.

However, things took a turn for the worse when he returned from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as he found himself playing out of position and had to deal with spells in and out of the team.

He suffered a knee injury in May, which ended his hopes of playing for Bafana at the World Cup, as he needed between three and five months to recover.

Transfer U-turn for Nkota and his camp?

His return to Pirates comes two weeks after his agent Karabo Mathang-Tshabuse said that she is considering a January exit for the winger.

“We may be moving him but I do think that for his recovery, it may be good to spend the first six months of the half of the season in Saudi,” she said on Metro FM.

Mohau Nkota playing against Al Nassr
Mohau Nkota playing against Al Nassr.

Both camps appear to have had a change of heart and Nkota is now back home after a difficult year away and has the chance to find his rhythm again in a familiar environment where he previously thrived.

For Pirates, the deal brings back a proven attacking threat who understands the club’s system. For Nkota, it is a welcome chance to put a challenging chapter behind him and rediscover the form that made him one of South Africa’s most exciting young players.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

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