South African international Elias Mokwana is expected to leave Espérance Sportive de Tunis this summer after struggling to secure a place in the squad.
Mokwana, who joined the Tunisian giants last year, has found opportunities limited and could now continue his career in Saudi Arabia.
According to club sources, Al Hazem, managed by Tunisian coach Jalel Kadri, is leading the chase for the 24-year-old winger.
While initial reports linked the player with a possible transfer, Espérance are only considering a loan deal at this stage rather than a permanent sale.
Such a move would allow Mokwana to gain regular playing time while keeping the option open for his return to Tunis at the end of the season.
The South African was recruited with high expectations following his performances in the domestic league and with the national team.
However, he has struggled to adapt to the demands of Tunisian football and has been unable to secure a consistent starting role under Espérance’s technical staff.
His limited impact on the pitch has led to speculation for several months regarding his future.
A switch to Al Hazem would provide Mokwana with the chance to revive his career in a growing Saudi Pro League, which has become an increasingly attractive destination for African players in recent years.
Working under Kadri, who knows the North African and Middle Eastern football landscape well, could also provide the player with a more familiar environment in which to rebuild his confidence.
For Espérance, the potential loan would free up space in their squad while giving Mokwana the opportunity to regain form elsewhere.
It also reflects the club’s strategy of loaning out players who have not yet met expectations rather than parting ways with them permanently.
The coming weeks are expected to determine the outcome of negotiations, but the deal is understood to be at an advanced stage.
If confirmed, Mokwana would join a growing contingent of African internationals in the Saudi Pro League, where competition and visibility continue to rise.
Espérance supporters, who had hoped the South African would make a bigger impact, may view the move as a chance for him to rediscover the level of performance that earned him a move to Tunis in the first place.
For Mokwana himself, the loan represents a crucial step to reignite a career that has stalled since leaving South Africa.
At this stage, both Espérance and Al Hazem are expected to finalise terms before the close of the transfer window.
