Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has given an honest assessment of Mohau Nkota’s move from Orlando Pirates to the Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq FC.
The pacey winger left Pirates after spending just one season with the senior team following his promotion from DStv Diski Challenge side.
Nkota had an impressive breakthrough season in the Betway Premiership after playing a key role for Pirates in the previous season.
In this first season in the top-flight with Pirates, the talented attacker amassed 37 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and contributing five assists. Nkota formed an exciting attacking combination with players such as Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi.
The left-footed star was pivotal as the Sea Robbers finished as runners-up in the league last season and reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
After his impressive form, Nkota was nominated for the Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season at the 2025 PSL awards.
The Bafana Bafana international earned himself a move to Saudi Arabia after just one impressive season at Pirates. Nkota has already made his official debut for Al-Ettifaq and scored his first goal as they won 2-1 against Al-Khoolod in the league last Thursday.
WHAT HUGO BROOS SAID ABOUT NKOTA’S MOVE TO SAUDI ARABIA
Nkota is included in the Bafana’s 23-man squad that will face Lesotho and Nigeria in the FIFA Club World Cup qualifiers this month, September.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos has backed the selection of Nkota, revealing that the latter is doing well; however, he is not a fan of players going to leagues like Saudi Arabia.
“I followed [Nkota’s progress] a little, and I saw one of their game, it was a pre-season game, and I was surprised that I could see the game against an Italian team,” Broos said.
“And he played good, I’m hearing that everything is going well for him, and why not take him [for Bafana]? We will see if he can maintain the same level of performance he had at Pirates.
“You know I don’t like it when younger players go to such teams, but it’s a choice he made, and let’s hope that everything keeps going well for him.”
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