The move of former Orlando Pirates attacker Mohau Nkota to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq has opened up a lively debate among football supporters as to how he left these shores before Bucs teammate Relebohile Mofokeng.
Nkota, 20, with only one full season in the Betway Premiership and the Champions League, has joined the Dammam-based club that has ambitions of overtaking Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli next season.
While the much-fancied Mofokeng, also 20, remained with Pirates as they concluded their Spanish preseason camp, Nkota linked up with his new teammates at their training base in Portugal.
Judging by the video content Ettifaq has released regularly, it appears Nkota is already a hit with his new teammates and he is enjoying his new environment. He looked in good spirits at training with experienced campaigners including Georginio Wijnaldum (Holland), Moussa Dembélé (France), Seko Fofana (Ivory Coast) and Demarai Gray (Jamaica).
Ahead of this transfer window the safe bet between Nkota and Mofokeng for an overseas move was the latter because of his vast all-round improvement over the past two seasons under former Bucs coach Jose Riveiro.
Football has its ways and Nkota moved first, but there is little doubt Mofokeng will follow suit shortly because of his burgeoning reputation at Pirates and breakout performances for Bafana Bafana. It has not been publicly revealed, but there is every possibility Pirates' management are receiving offers from a number of clubs interested in the talented player right now.
I am one of the people who would like to see Mofokeng move to a club in Europe to progress, but the timing of the move must be impeccable. Mofokeng was instrumental in helping Pirates to MTN8 success, a second-place finish in the Betway Premiership and semifinal stage of the Champions League last season. He also played a huge role for the Buccaneers when they reached the final of the Nedbank Cup where they lost to rivals Kaizer Chiefs, who lifted their first major trophy in 10 years.
Mofokeng featured in 49 matches in all competitions for Pirates in 2024-25, where he was a key member of the attacking department, scoring 12 goals and contributing 12 assists. He has been nominated for Footballer of the Season and Premiership Players' Player of the Season in the PSL Awards.
Supporters want Mofokeng to move overseas, but I think maybe the sensible thing would be to wait a little longer to help Pirates to the knockout stages of the 2025-26 Champions League and play in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). Mofokeng’s situation is tricky, because if he moves now, he will be joining a team that has completed their preseason preparations and may find himself on the back foot finding game time.
The worst-case scenario is that he may find himself in a dicey situation if he takes time to settle down in his new environment, possibly also having to learn a new culture and language. It could become even worse if the new club fires the coach soon after his arrival, which can happen, and he takes time to impress a new man in charge, losing out on valuable time on the pitch with Afcon fast approaching. If he does battle for game time at a new side, that could cost him his place in the Bafana squad for the Nations Cup in Morocco in December and January.
I am not saying this because I doubt his footballing capabilities, not at all. I am pointing out the possible scenarios that may unfold in front of his eyes if he moves now. If the opportunity arrived now, I would say he must take it because he has the quality to make it abroad, but he must be aware of the harsh reality that things can go pear-shaped for reasons beyond his control.
A recent example is that of Cassius Mailula, who in 2023 left for Major League Soccer after impressing at Mamelodi Sundowns, but struggled for game time at Toronto FC, and he has not played for Bafana since.
Before December, Pirates will be involved in the MTN8, Carling Knockout and Champions League, and Mofokeng will play a crucial role for Pirates in those competitions. If Mofokeng continues where he left off last season, he will be a sure case for Bafana coach Hugo Broos when he selects the squad for Afcon in Morocco in December.
Bafana also have the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Rwanda in the coming months where he is going to be needed by Broos.
If Mofokeng moves abroad now and does not get enough playing opportunities, he may miss out on some of the World Cup qualifiers and that would seriously hurt his Afcon ambitions. Nkota is going to face a similar situation if he doesn’t get enough playing opportunities in the Saudi Pro League.
Another point seriously worth considering for Mofokeng is that if he delays a move until after Afcon, given he is sure to be part of Broos' plans in Morocco if he stays at Pirates, and given he can attract scouts' attention there, especially at his age, he could secure a move to a better team after the tournament than if he moves now.
It is a tricky situation for the young Mofokeng and his next move must be timely, strategic and tactical like a chess master looking to gain advantage on the board.
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