Orlando Pirates re-sign Bafana Bafana winger Mohau Nkota on loan

Orlando Pirates have re-signed Bafana Bafana winger Mohau Nkota on loan from Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq as they look to strengthen their attacking options.

The 21-year-old returns to the Soweto club after a year in Saudi Arabia, where his first season abroad brought encouraging moments but was ultimately disrupted by injury.

Nkota made 21 league appearances for Al Ettifaq last season, starting 16 matches. He made a promising start to his time with the club, scoring twice during his first two months, but was unable to sustain that form and did not find the net again after October.

His campaign was also affected by international duty and a knee injury.

The winger was selected for Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations squad and featured at the tournament. However, his involvement ended after the second group-stage match against Angola.

A subsequent knee problem forced Nkota out of the national-team set-up and ended his hopes of being included in Hugo Broos’ squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His return to Orlando Pirates gives him an opportunity to regain his rhythm at the club where he established himself as an important attacking player.

Nkota enjoyed his breakthrough season in 2024/25, contributing seven goals and five assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. He started 29 of those matches.

That record underlined his ability to create chances and provide a goal threat from wide positions, qualities Orlando Pirates will hope he can reproduce after returning from Saudi Arabia.

His arrival is particularly relevant because the club’s attacking options have changed since his breakthrough campaign. Relebohile Mofokeng has left Orlando Pirates to join Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, creating an opening for another young forward to take on increased responsibility.

Nkota’s previous experience with the club means he already understands the environment, while his past performances give coach Abdeslam Ouaddou another option on the right side.

The Buccaneers are continuing their title defence, and the re-signing provides additional attacking depth as they prepare for the demands of the season.

For Nkota, the move represents a chance to rebuild after a difficult year overseas and return to the setting where he first made a name for himself.

He will now aim to recover the momentum that helped establish him at Orlando Pirates and demonstrate again to both the club and Bafana Bafana what he can contribute.