Mohau Nkota’s agent discusses the rising value of the 21-year-old Bafana Bafana player’s move from Orlando Pirates to Saudi Pro League’s Al-Ettifaq, highlighting global interest and the potential for career progression despite the lack of official transfer fee confirmation. Picture: PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP
Image: PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP
As the rumours never really died down about just how much Mohau Nkota’s move from Orlando Pirates to Saudi-Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq last year, the player’s agent Karabo Mathang-Tshabuse insists his value is constantly rising.
The 21-year-old Bafana Bafana player’s move is reported to have been between R36m and R50m, but the figures have never been officially confirmed.
It’s also quite rare that a player as young as Nkota made the move to one of the big-paying leagues in world football, but his brace in his Caf Champions League debut in the 2024/2025 season set tongues wagging.
Of course, it’s not as high-profile a move as it would be to somewhere like the English Premier League, but playing in the Saudi Pro League could still provide the perfect stepping stone given the long career still ahead of Nkota.
“Obviously, he is a valuable player, so there will always be interest from across the globe with regard to him,” Mathang-Tshabuse told SportsBoom.co.za.
“There is always interest in him because we are part of a bigger platform, and we also receive interest directly from the clubs that want to pitch for his services.”
It’s difficult to see Nkota ever returning to South African shores, and Mathang-Tshabuse intimated as much.
“The nature of football will always be about progression, whether it’s one or two seasons set up. It’s something we plan with our clients, but for now, we are just monitoring the situation.”