Winger Mohau Nkota acknowledges that parting ways with Orlando Pirates was a challenging decision, but he stands by his choice to join the Saudi Pro League, currently playing for Al Ettifaq, as he aims to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the upcoming weeks.
Nkota made the move to Al Ettifaq at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, transferring for a reported fee of €1.2 million. He has achieved two league goals and provided two assists over 18 appearances this season.
In recent weeks, he has found himself in and out of the starting lineup, and he is eager to gain more consistent playing time as he approaches the World Cup.
“As Africans, not everyone wants to remain in Africa and play football there,” he shared with the official Saudi Pro League website. “Many of us aspire to play overseas. For a lot of players, the dream is to move at a young age and experience leagues in other countries.”
“I was in the national team camp when my agent contacted me, saying there’s a club in Saudi Arabia eager for my services.”
“Later, I received a call from the Orlando Pirates chairman, Irvin Khoza, who said the decision was mine to make. I felt excited about the prospect of moving here.”
“We want to embrace new opportunities, experience different cultures, and play in various leagues. That was my motivation—I wanted to broaden my horizons and play football in new environments.”
However, he admits that it was difficult to detach himself from the environment that nurtured his growth as a professional at Pirates.
“It was not an easy decision,” Nkota explained. “It was emotional, saying goodbye to a club where I developed so much. They taught me countless lessons. My final week was particularly tough as I had to bid farewell to my teammates.”
“It was deeply emotional for me. The last day was hard, knowing it could be a long time before I see them again. To the Orlando Pirates fans, thank you for everything. I wanted to move forward, I wanted to play football and chase my ambitions.”
Nkota mentioned that Al Ettifaq’s captain, Gini Wijnaldum, has been instrumental in helping him adapt to life in Saudi Arabia.
“Upon my arrival, I spoke with Gini Wijnaldum, my captain,” Nkota noted. “He provided valuable insights about the league and the upcoming season.”
“He advised me that it wouldn’t be easy, and that I would need to work hard and fight for my position. He encouraged me to consistently show up, demonstrate my desire to play, and to ensure that I make my presence known in the league.”
“I wasn’t initially aware that he was the captain, but when he introduced himself, he assured me that I should feel free, not fear making mistakes, and that my new teammates and he were here to assist me in making an impression.”
While Nkota acknowledges that he has faced challenges against some of the league’s formidable defences, he views each match as an opportunity to learn and grow as a player.
“Competing against some of the best centre-backs in the league is tough; they have a wealth of experience,” Nkota admitted. “They can read the game well, making it difficult to get past them.”
“I have learned a great deal from facing skilled opponents who have played in top leagues. Our team possesses quality, and I believe we can achieve great things together.”
Nkota was not selected by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for the two upcoming friendly matches against Panama, having also missed out on the latter stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
At present, his chances of being called up appear slim, but he remains optimistic that Bafana Bafana can make an impact in the tournament.
“As we look forward to the World Cup, our aim is to make it memorable,” he expressed. “We want to leave a lasting impression, ensuring that we play to the best of our ability, and hopefully, positive outcomes will follow.”
Compiled by SportArena.au
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