Football

Mohau Nkota: Former Orlando Pirates Star Scores on Debut for Al Ettifaq in Saudi League

Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 11:23 PM

by Raphael Abiola

3 min read

Bafana Bafana star Mohau Nkota had a dream debut for his new club, Al-Ettifaq, as he scored in his first match in the Saudi Professional League
The former Orlando Pirates star was rated as one of the best players in the match as his goal earned a crucial three points for Al-Ettifaq
Nkota's goal created a buzz on social media with South African football fans hailing the Bafana Bafana winger

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Former Orlando Pirates star Mohau Nkota made an immediate impact in the Saudi Pro League, scoring on his debut for Al-Ettifaq.

The South African international left the Soweto giants this summer for the Middle Eastern club and has shown class by scoring on his debut for his new club.

After rising through the ranks at Orlando Pirates academy and becoming a fan favourite in the Premier Soccer League giants' first team, Nkota’s transition to Middle Eastern football has been closely watched by both those who were glad he made the move and those who thought he made the wrong decision.

Nkota scores on his debut for Al-Ettifaq

Nkota's sharp movement and composure in front of goal were on full display, helping Al-Ettifaq secure a crucial 2-1 win over Al Kholood in their first match of the season, while also giving fans a glimpse of what he brings to the squad.

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The 19-year-old opened the scoring after just seven minutes of play, marking his new side's first goal of the season in the Saudi Pro League.

The visitors levelled the score in the 36th minute, but former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum restored Al Ettifaq’s lead in the 61st minute.

Nkota came close to scoring a brace, but his 82nd-minute effort struck the outside of the post, narrowly missing the target. He was rated as one of the best players in the match.

Reactions as Nkota scores on Al-Ettifaq debut

sgegede03 shared:

"Mohau Nkota has more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane 🔥🙌🐐."

ChrisExcel commented:

"Mohau Nkota just scored his first Goal in Saudi He has more Goals than Ronaldo in the league 😭😭"

iamziyar said:

"It's his first game, his former teammates have played 4 games in the league and 3 in a cup but none of them have scored yet. His friend Rele does not even have one assist. Unbelievable?"

UKwaneleZN reacted:

"I love it for him, knowing him. He's going to score more👏👏👏"

Thulani Njapa wrote:

"Justifying his call up to the @BafanaBafana's 2026 FIFA WC Qualifiers Final 23 squad!👋"

alien_n3 responded:

"Unpopular opinion, this boy is miles a complete player than Mofokeng."

ItsNathi_Costa added:

'Yoh he's coming with voodoo on that Bafana Bafana. Nigeria is kak kak. We must donate the 3 points they trying to swindle from us for that Lesotho situation."