Orlando Pirates FC have secured the loan return of Nkota from Al Ettifaq, the club confirmed. The 21-year-old midfielder returns to Soweto after spending the last season in Saudi Arabia, where he debuted for Al Ettifaq last August and made 21 league appearances with 16 starts and five substitute appearances, scoring two goals in his opening two months before going silent after October.
How did Nkota perform before his move to Saudi Arabia?
Prior to leaving for Al Ettifaq, Nkota had a breakthrough 2024-25 season at Orlando Pirates FC, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. He made 29 starts in those 39 games, establishing himself as a regular under the coach before his transfer abroad. His contributions were vital as Pirates challenged on multiple fronts during that campaign.
What happened during Nkota’s time abroad and international duty?
Nkota represented Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations but did not play after the second group game against Angola due to a knee injury that ruled him out of the squad. The injury also caused him to miss subsequent World Cup qualifiers, limiting his involvement with the national team after his promising start to the tournament.
Where does Orlando Pirates FC stand now ahead of their next fixture?
The club currently leads the Premier Soccer League with 13 points from five games, recording a 4W-1D-0L record and a recent form of WWWDW. They have scored 12 goals and conceded just one this season, giving them a +11 goal difference. Orlando Pirates FC will travel to Mauritius to face Le Cure Waves in the CAF Champions League preliminary round on Sunday, aiming to build on their strong domestic start as they welcome back a familiar face in Nkota. For more on the team’s current form, check the standings, review the upcoming fixtures, and see how Nkota fits into the squad.
