Mohau Nkota will not be available for his club's game against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr at the end of the month as he will be in Morocco with Bafana Bafana for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Image: Instagram/Mohau Nkota
Former Orlando Pirates starlet Mohau Nkota has made a fast start to life in Saudi Arabia, and Al-Ettifaq’s decision to sign the 20-year-old looks like a very good piece of transfer business by the club.
Since moving to the Saudi Pro League, Nkota has been ever-present for his new club, and has found the back of the net twice while also registering two assists.
But, the question on many South African football fans is: When will Nkota come face-to-face with global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr?
Unfortunately, Al-Ettifaq’s first league game against Al-Nassr is scheduled for December 30. Nkota will not be available for selection for that game as he will be in Morocco with Bafana Bafana for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on December 21, and runs until January 18, next year.
His first opportunity to test himself against the world’s most famous footballer will only be on April 23 next year. South African fans will be able to watch the game on SportyTV, which broadcasts games for free on its YouTube channel.
In Saudi Arabia, Nkota has had plenty of opportunities to play against some of the game’s biggest names. In September, he was on the field for 81 minutes as his club took on and earned a point against Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney’s Al-Ahli Saudi.
For a player who was once touted as the next big thing at Pirates, Nkota now has the perfect stage to prove that his talent belongs among the world’s elite. If he can continue his blistering start in Saudi Arabia and carry that form into Bafana Bafana colours, the youngster might just write his name into South African football folklore.
IOL Sport