Al-Ettifaq head coach Saad Al-Shehri has commended Mohau Nkota following the player’s return to the starting line-up in his side’s 3-2 victory over Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.
The 21-year-old featured for 88 minutes as Ettifaq secured an important win against one of the division’s most in-form teams. While Nkota’s individual performance may not have stood out offensively, his manager highlighted his defensive contribution as a key factor in the result.
“The most important thing is that we secured three points, Khaled Al-Ghannam’s strength lies on the left side, and he delivered an excellent performance, while Nkota also did a great job defensively on the right side,” Al-Shehri said.
The victory provides a boost for Ettifaq, who are currently seventh in the 18-team Saudi Pro League table. With seven matches remaining, they sit 28 points behind league leaders Al Nassr, leaving limited room to climb significantly but still aiming to finish the season strongly.
Nkota’s inclusion in the starting XI came as a surprise following a difficult period for the former Orlando Pirates player. Earlier in the campaign, he had made a promising start, registering two goals and two assists in his first nine league appearances before the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, his form and role in the team shifted after his return from the tournament. Nkota was deployed out of position as a wing-back on several occasions, before subsequently falling out of favour. He was omitted from the matchday squad five times in a seven-game stretch, fuelling speculation about a possible transfer at the end of the season.
Despite these challenges, his recall for the match against Al Qadsiah offered an opportunity to re-establish himself within the squad. Although he did not contribute directly to the scoreline, his defensive efforts drew praise from his coach, who emphasised the importance of collective execution.
“All the technical choices were successful, and the players executed them well. We want to continue with this spirit and achieve more victories and finish the league in the best possible position,” Al-Shehri added.
Ettifaq’s win over Al Qadsiah may prove significant in restoring confidence within the squad as the season approaches its conclusion. For Nkota, the performance could represent a step towards regaining a more regular role after a period of uncertainty surrounding his future.
With several fixtures still to be played, both player and club will be looking to build on this result and maintain momentum in the closing stages of the campaign.
