Mokwana future unclear as winger waits for Esperance decision on next move

Elias Mokwana is staying in South Africa while he waits for Esperance to decide whether he will return to Tunisia, move permanently to Saudi Arabia or head to Algeria, amid growing interest in the 26-year-old winger.

Al Hazem, where Mokwana spent last season on loan, are understood to be keen to turn his temporary spell into a permanent transfer from the Tunisian club.

The Saudi Pro League side have been encouraged by his performances and are exploring the possibility of keeping him, but Esperance have yet to communicate a final position to the player or his representatives.

Algerian Duo Monitoring Situation Alongside Al Hazem’s interest, Algerian clubs MC Alger and JS Kabylie are also tracking Mokwana as they assess potential attacking reinforcements.

For now, the South Africa international remains contracted to Esperance and is waiting on clarity from the Tunis-based side before any move can progress.

Mokwana joined Esperance from Sekhukhune United in August 2024 on a three-year deal and has gone on to make 38 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and providing four assists.

Agency Urges Calm With speculation intensifying around his next destination, Mokwana’s representatives at Cream Sports Management have attempted to cool talk of an imminent transfer.

“We’re still contracted to Esperance; let’s respect that. We are not going to comment further than that at this stage,” said managing director Pontsho Madumo.

“I don’t want to be in the media and say, ‘Hey, the player is going there. Hey, the player this’. You understand? We will definitely give you an update at the appropriate time,” Madumo added.

Those comments underline that any move will hinge on Esperance’s stance, with the Tunisian side holding his registration and the final say over whether he stays or leaves.

International Record On the international stage, Mokwana has established himself as part of the South Africa set-up in recent seasons.

He was included in Bafana Bafana’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, underlining his rise at both club and international level.

However, he did not make the cut for South Africa’s squad for this year’s FIFA World Cup, missing out on a place at the global finals.

To date, Mokwana has played 12 times for South Africa’s senior national team, scoring two goals.

Future Hinges on Esperance Call With his three-year contract at Esperance still in force and several clubs monitoring his situation, Mokwana’s immediate future now rests on the Tunisian club’s decision over whether to retain him, sanction a permanent move to Al Hazem or open the door to a transfer elsewhere in North Africa.

Until then, the winger will remain in South Africa awaiting further instruction from his parent club, with his camp insisting they will only provide an update once Esperance have made their position clear.