Nkota follows South African stars who returned home to rebuild their careers

Mohau Nkota has returned to Orlando Pirates on loan after his move to Saudi Arabia failed to develop as expected, adding his name to a list of South African players who went abroad, struggled, and came back before earning another opportunity overseas.

At 21, the winger remains in the early stages of his career and there is no reason for him to panic. His return to Orlando Pirates gives him the chance to regain confidence and reignite his progress after a difficult spell in Saudi Arabia.

Nkota’s situation is not unusual. For a variety of reasons, including bad luck, talented South African footballers have sometimes found it difficult to establish themselves outside the country. Some have responded by returning home, rebuilding their form and experience, and later securing another move abroad as more mature players.

Siyabonga Nomvethe

Siyabonga Nomvethe made his first move to Europe in 2001, leaving Kaizer Chiefs for Italian club Udinese.

The former striker found it difficult to adapt to life in Italy and subsequently endured three loan spells that failed to produce the impact expected of him. In 2006, ‘Bhele’ returned to South Africa to join Orlando Pirates.

His homecoming did not mark the end of his international ambitions. Nomvethe soon moved on to Aalborg in Denmark, where he enjoyed a successful spell and helped the club win the Danish Superliga title in 2008.

His career demonstrated how a player can use a return to South Africa as an opportunity to recover from a challenging first experience abroad before finding success elsewhere.

Kermit Erasmus

Kermit Erasmus left South Africa as a teenager in 2008 to join Feyenoord. Although he showed flashes of considerable promise, his performances lacked consistency.

He returned to South Africa in 2010, signing for SuperSport United. The account of his career records that it took six years before he returned to Europe, when he was taken up by Rennes in 2010.

Erasmus was unable to produce consistently in Europe even after gaining further experience. He eventually came back to South Africa in 2019 with Cape Town City.

He later spent time with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. During his spell with Mamelodi Sundowns, Erasmus helped the club win the league title, adding a significant domestic achievement to his career.

Tokelo Rantie

Tokelo Rantie’s route was different because he moved abroad before making a professional appearance in South Africa. The highly rated youth player eventually returned home and joined Orlando Pirates, known as Bucs, in the early part of the last decade.

That spell helped set up another opportunity overseas. Rantie subsequently joined Swedish club Malmo, where he enjoyed success in 2013.

His progress then led to a three-year stint with Bournemouth, who were playing in the English Championship at the time. Rantie played his part as the club secured promotion to the Premier League.

For Nkota, the immediate priority will be to use his return to Orlando Pirates as a reset. The winger’s circumstances place him among a number of South African players who needed time at home before continuing their careers on the international stage.