South Africa winger Mohau Nkota has returned to Orlando Pirates on loan from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq until June 30, 2027.
The 21-year-old rejoins the Johannesburg club less than two years after making his senior breakthrough with Pirates, having spent the past season in Saudi Arabia.
Nkota joined Al-Ettifaq from Orlando Pirates in July 2025 in a permanent transfer reportedly worth €1.2 million. After a year with the Saudi side, he has now returned to his former club to continue his development.
The right winger began his senior career with Pirates after progressing through the club’s development structure. He joined Orlando Pirates Reserves from the youth setup in February 2024 before being promoted to the first team in July of the same year.
Born in Kimberley in South Africa’s Northern Cape, Nkota is 1.67 metres tall and primarily operates from the right wing, despite being left-footed.
He was also part of the Orlando Pirates squad that won the MTN8 Cup during the 2024-25 season before making his move to Saudi Arabia.
Nkota’s return comes after a difficult start to the 2026-27 campaign, with the winger yet to make an appearance for Al-Ettifaq in either the Saudi Pro League or King’s Cup.
The loan move provides him with an opportunity to regain regular first-team football at a club where he is already familiar with the environment and expectations.
Pirates will also welcome back a player who understands the demands of the Betway Premiership after previously establishing himself within their senior squad.
Nkota’s current market value is listed at €700,000, having previously reached a reported high of €800,000.
His temporary return to Orlando Pirates is scheduled to run until June 30, 2027, bringing the winger back to the club where his professional career began.
Pirates will now hope Nkota can rediscover his best form and add pace, creativity and a left-footed threat to their attacking options during his second spell in Johannesburg.
