Kimberley-born footballer Mohau Nkota has taken another step towards restarting his Orlando Pirates career after returning to training with the Buccaneers.
Nkota rejoined Pirates on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq earlier this month, and the 21-year-old winger is now working with his new teammates as he builds towards a return to competitive action. However, Nkota will have to be patient after being sidelined for a period of time.
Nkota is not yet considered ready for selection as he continues his rehabilitation and works towards regaining full match fitness. Recent reports indicate that his knee injury, which brought his previous season to an early end, remains part of the reason for the cautious approach to his return.
For Nkota, the immediate priority is therefore not simply getting back onto the field, but making sure he is physically ready to do so.
His return to Pirates gives him a familiar environment in which to rebuild his fitness and confidence after a difficult spell in Saudi Arabia.
The Kimberley winger left Pirates for Al-Ettifaq in July 2025 after making his breakthrough in the Buccaneers’ first team. His return on loan means he now has an opportunity to get his career moving again at the club where he first established himself at senior level.
Pirates confirmed the loan move on 3 September, welcoming Nkota back to the club for the 2026/27 season.
The timing of his return will now depend largely on his progress in training.
For Pirates, Nkota's availability will eventually add another attacking option, but the club will not want to rush a player who is still working his way back from injury.
For the Kimberley football community, meanwhile, there is renewed interest in seeing one of the city's most prominent football exports back on a PSL pitch.
Nkota has already made his mark at Pirates and for Bafana Bafana. His immediate challenge is to get himself fit enough to do so again.
For now, the significant development is that he is back where it all began — in Pirates training — with the next step being a return to match action. | DFA