Mohau Nkota set for Al-Ettifaq return after knee injury

Al-Ettifaq forward Mohau Nkota will return to Saudi Arabia this weekend as he continues his recovery from a knee injury and prepares to resume training.

The 21-year-old has been sidelined since May, when he sustained the injury that forced him to miss Al-Ettifaq’s final matches of last season. He subsequently underwent an operation and was expected to be out for between three and five months.

Nkota’s representatives, P Management, confirmed that the South Africa winger would now begin the next stage of his rehabilitation.

“Nkota is going back to Saudi Arabia this weekend,” Nkota’s representatives, P Management, informed Soccer Laduma.

“His operation was successful. He needs to regain his fitness, and he will start light training first.”

The Kimberley-born player is scheduled to begin light training next week, although he is not expected to be ready for the opening matches of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season.

The new campaign began on 13 August, meaning Nkota is likely to miss the first few games as he rebuilds his fitness. However, he could return to contention soon after completing the initial stages of his recovery.

Nkota’s injury also ended his hopes of representing Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. South Africa reached the knockout phase of the tournament for the first time in their history, but Nkota was unable to be part of the squad because of the setback.

Bafana Bafana are due to return to international action in late September, when they will play Guinea and Eritrea in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Nkota’s return to Saudi Arabia therefore provides a positive development for both his club and his longer-term international prospects, although his immediate focus will be on regaining match fitness following surgery.

The forward’s absence came during a significant period for Al-Ettifaq, with the club completing its previous campaign without him after his May injury. His rehabilitation programme will now continue in Saudi Arabia, beginning with light work before he can progress towards a full return to team training and competitive football.