Former Orlando Pirates sensation Mohau Nkota has hit the jackpot in his budding football career, securing a lucrative deal in the Middle East that sees him earning a staggering R300,000 per week.
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Nkota shocked the local football fraternity in July when he sealed a three-year deal with Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq. The 20-year-old winger had only broken into Pirates’ senior team eight months prior but had already made his mark with seven goals and five assists in 39 appearances. His rapid rise made him one of the hottest young talents in South African football.
Banking Big in Saudi Pro League
According to salary-tracking platform Capology, Nkota now pockets €19,231 (approximately R300,000) weekly, which translates to over €1 million (R20 million) annually. The Kimberley-born attacker has already begun repaying the faith shown in him, registering a goal and two assists in just four outings for Al Ettifaq.
His new stage places him alongside some of world football’s biggest names, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Riyad Mahrez, and Sadio Mane — a massive leap from the domestic league he left behind.
From Kimberley Streets to Pirates Stardom
Nkota’s journey is a tale of talent, persistence, and opportunity. His football story began in Kimberley with Sol Plaatje University, where his raw ability caught the eye of coach Mandla Qhogi during a 2020 clinic. Qhogi, who had ties with Pirates’ youth structures, was quick to note his potential.
Unable to join Pirates immediately due to age restrictions, Nkota continued developing with the Sol Plaatje SAB League side before moving to Johannesburg at 17. He enrolled at Bophelo Private School in Mayfair and climbed the Pirates development ladder from U-17 to U-19, and later the DStv Diski Challenge team.
His senior breakthrough came on 25 October 2024, when he made a dream debut against AmaZulu, scoring both goals in a 2–1 win for the Buccaneers. That performance cemented him as one of the brightest prospects in South African football.
National Team Recognition
Despite his big move abroad, Nkota’s ties to South Africa remain strong. The youngster has been called up to the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, marking another milestone in his remarkable rise.
With his career already on a steep upward trajectory and life-changing financial rewards flowing in, Mohau Nkota is proving to be the latest shining export from Orlando Pirates’ development pipeline, following in the footsteps of stars like Lyle Foster.
Related article: Mohau Nkota Leaves Orlando Pirates for Saudi Pro League
