Nkota Training As Pirates Fans Ask About Hi…

Mohau Nkota during the 2025 International Friendly match between South Africa and Ghana.

Orlando Pirates supporters may have to wait a little longer before seeing Mohau Nkota back in competitive action, although the Bafana Bafana winger is already training and remains hopeful of making his return before the end of the month.

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Supporters Left Waiting After Mauritius Stalemate

Mohau Nkota’s return to Orlando Pirates was announced on Thursday last week, with the club confirming a season-long loan agreement with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq that will see the 21-year-old return to the club where he made his breakthrough.

However, while the move was welcomed by the Buccaneers faithful, the question of when Nkota will actually be available has quickly become one of the talking points surrounding his return.

That was evident on social media following Pirates’ CAF Champions League opener on Sunday, when some sections of the club’s support began asking about the winger’s availability after the Buccaneers were held to a goalless draw by Mauritian side La Cure Waves at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex.

A Difficult Period on the Sidelines

Nkota’s current situation is understandable given the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines. The winger suffered a knee injury towards the end of last season while at Al-Ettifaq, with the setback coming after he had made an encouraging start to life in Saudi Arabia.

His injury required surgery and also ruled him out of Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, adding to what became a difficult period for the youngster after his move abroad.

“He Is Training, But Unclear If He Will Be Available Immediately”

Those hoping to see Nkota involved in competitive action straight away may have to be patient, with a source indicating that the winger is still working his way back to full fitness.

“He is training, but at the moment it is unclear if he will be available immediately to make the team. Hopefully, he will soon, possibly before the end of the month. But he is happy to be back to familiar surroundings and looking forward to rediscovering his form,” a source told the Siya crew.

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Patience Will Be Required

Nkota’s return to Pirates will provide him with an opportunity to rebuild his confidence and rediscover the form that made him one of the club’s most exciting young players. However, the immediate priority is understood to be getting him back to the required physical level before he is considered for competitive action.

The fact that he is now training represents an encouraging step, but the club will be wary of rushing the winger back after his lengthy spell on the sidelines. For now, there is no confirmed date for Nkota’s return, with the expectation that he will continue working on his fitness before gradually being integrated into the matchday squad.

If his progress continues as hoped, the possibility of seeing him back in a Pirates shirt before the end of September cannot be ruled out. For supporters who have already been asking when they will see the former academy product back in action, the latest indication is that they may not have to wait too much longer — but patience will be required.

Photo: Zamani Makautsi/BackpagePix 

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