Mohau Nkota possibly ended last week in Spain with Orlando Pirates oblivious he will soon be across the border in Portugal wearing the colours of Al-Ettifaq — a Suadi Pro League side he may not have heard much about.
The 20-year-old attacker was, however, well aware his services were much sought after when Belgian and French clubs inquired about his services after his incredible full season with the Buccaneers, in which he played 39 matches and scored seven goals.
It must have been the brilliant brace Nkota scored in his debut Caf Champions League appearance against Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in an away opening group match in November that led to Al-Ettifaq deciding on him. The club — which finished sixth in the money-spinning league last season — reportedly paid €800,000 (R16.5m) for him.
Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and France striker Moussa Dembele are some of the big names Nkota will play alongside at Al-Ettifaq. It is, however, the prospect of rubbing shoulders with Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr FC, that must have convinced Nkota he’s at the right place.
In social media videos that Al-Ettifaq posted all week, Nkota looked settled and happy, and was sharing banter with his new teammates he joined on Monday in their pre-season camp in Portugal. “The move came as a huge shock to him, just as it has to many South Africans,” Nkota’s former coach at Bucs’ junior ranks, Mandla Xhogi, told the Sunday Times from eSwatini this week.
Sole breadwinner
“He’s a disciplined young boy, and has promised me not to disappoint his mother as they’re dependent on him back home in Kimberley.”
Xhogi, who is the head coach of Nsingizini Hotspurs in eSwatini, said it was what Pirates saw in Nkota that probably attracted Al-Ettifaq. “Nkota has incredible lightning speed, he’s got a great first touch, terrific ball control but, more importantly, he’s difficult to mark because he can use either foot and can shoot when everyone is least expecting,” he said.
South African player agent Glyn Binkin is excited about Nkota’s move and what it could do for South African football. “The Saudi league’s focus now is to complement big names with exciting young and emerging talents across the globe. I believe it’s a good move for the young man at this stage of his career,” said Binkin, who has had some of his clients, including Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba and Ime Okon, attracting some teams in Saudi Arabia.
He has no worries about the sustainability of the Saudi league. “I think it’s extremely sustainable, given the massive financial resources, combined with a clearly focused programme of attracting young talent.”
Groundbreaking move
Nkota's move to Saudi Arabia has also been hailed by South African football analyst and coach Farook Khan as groundbreaking, one that could help open many doors for local players abroad. “He’s got three years to show Ettifaq didn’t make a mistake by signing him. I hope he makes the kind of money that these deals must be worth,” he said.
“It’s important that our players, clubs and their managers get something out of these deals for the benefit of South African football as a whole. My greatest hope is that it opens more opportunities for our players because we can’t rely only on European clubs to sign our players. It will be important for everyone to just allow him to settle down first in what will be a completely new environment for a young lad.”
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona (35) from Zimbabwe is one of the players from Southern Africa who plied his trade in the Saudi Pro League — playing for Al-Tai, Al-Riyadh and Al Okhdood since 2021. Musona is now looking for a new club after the expiry of his one-year deal at Al Okhdood.
It was likely more young South African players will be signed by the Saudi clubs, said Binkin. “I believe this will inevitably happen, especially given the league’s stance on trying to recruit top young players, and the fact that our under-17s and under-20s have qualified for their respective world cups.”
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