Former Orlando Pirates star and Bafana Bafana midfielder Mohau Nkota has reacted after scoring on his Al-Ettifaq FC debut in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Ettifaq FC beat Al Kholood 2-1 in the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League season opening match at the Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium on Thursday night.
And the 20-year-old SA star opened the scoring after just seven minutes of play with a well-struck left-footer from the edge of the box. John Buckley equalised for Al Kholood before halftime.
However, ex-Liverpool FC attacker Georginio Wijnaldum hit the target after the hour mark to seal victory for Al-Ettifaq FC.
In addition, the youthful former Pirates winger, Nkota was on parade for the entire match. He joined the club in July after impressing during his time at the Soweto giants.
WHAT NKOTA SAID ABOUT HIS DELIGHTFUL SAUDI PRO LEAGUE DEBUT
Reacting to his first goal on his debut, Nkota paid tribute to his club and management for the oppurtunity to play in Saudi Arabia.
“I want to thank the people who are managing me for coming this far to watch my game for the first time. It’s a very good league, competitive, so I’m very happy to be here. I have a very good group of people, my teammates and technical team. I’d like to thank them for the opportunity they gave me.
“And the Ettifaq fans, thank you very much for welcoming me. I’m very happy with today’s match, I’m very happy with the group of people. The first match is very important.
“There is no room for comparison here. The Saudi league and the atmosphere, I’m in a very good group of people,” he added.
How he started in the Saudi Pro League is undoubtedly music to Hugo Broos’ ears as Bafana Bafana brace to take on Lesotho and Nigeria in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
NKOTA ON SETTLING AT AL-ETTIFAQ
In addition, Nkota opened up on how he has managed to settle quickly at the Saudi Pro League outfit, Al-Ettifaq FC.
“You know, sometimes as a person you need to make yourself happy. Wherever you go to join a new team, feel comfortable,” Nkota declared.
“Don’t be scared to be around the players, I mean, I came in the pre-season, I showed them what kind of a person I am. And they welcomed me well.
“So I thank them for being there for me, always supporting me I was very happy to be in this group of people. I came because Ettifaq welcomed me very well.”
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