Orlando Pirates re-sign Mohau Nkota on loan from Ettifaq

Orlando Pirates have brought former winger Mohau Nkota back to the club on a season-long loan from Saudi Pro League giants El-Ettifaq.

The 21-year-old left Pirates for Ettifaq before the start of the 2025/26 season, but his move to Saudi Arabia did not develop as hoped. A difficult start, personal heartbreaks and a serious knee injury all disrupted Nkota’s progress.

He will now return to the Buccaneers for the campaign, with the temporary move offering him an opportunity to rebuild his confidence and revive his career.

Ettifaq confirmed the agreement in a brief statement, writing: “Approves for Mohau Nkota’s to join Orlando pirates on a season-long loan,”

The Saudi club added: “Good luck, Nkota.”

Nkota had established himself as an important part of Orlando Pirates’ squad during his breakthrough 2024/25 season. He scored seven goals and provided five assists in 39 appearances for the club.

His strongest performances came during Pirates’ run to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. Nkota found the net four times and created two further goals in nine appearances in the competition.

That form helped underline his potential before his move to Ettifaq, although his first period with the Saudi Pro League side was affected by both off-field difficulties and injury. The return to Orlando Pirates gives him the chance to regain regular momentum at a club where he had already enjoyed a notable rise.

Nkota’s loan is season-long, meaning he will spend the campaign back with the Buccaneers after only one season away from the club. His immediate task will be to recover from the setbacks that interrupted his progress and reproduce the attacking impact he showed in 2024/25.

The deal also brings back a player who made a significant contribution to Pirates’ continental campaign. Four goals and two assists in nine CAF Champions League appearances represented a substantial part of his overall output during the breakthrough season, in which he contributed to seven goals and five assists across 39 matches in all competitions.

For Orlando Pirates, the agreement secures the return of a familiar attacking option. For Nkota, it represents a fresh opportunity following a challenging spell after leaving South Africa.

The move follows recent coverage involving Pirates, including Mbuthuma’s bold claim after scoring a brace and a warning from a Pirates star to rival teams.