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Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana, August 2025Backpage
Kiplagat Sang

Bafana Bafana's Hugo Broos opens up about Mohau Nkota's move from Orlando Pirates to Al-Ettifaq - 'I’m not so happy when young players go to such teams'

The former Cameroon tactician has also explained why he decided to call up the former Sea Robber for Bafana's next assignments despite him leaving Bucs at a time he was impressive.

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  • Nkota signed for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ettifaq
  • Had sensational season with Bucs
  • Broos reveals how he felt following the transfer
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  • Mohau Nkota, Al Ettifaq, July 2025Al Ettifaq

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has revealed his concern following the former Orlando Pirates forward Mohau Nkota's move to join Al-Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia.

    Nkota left the Soweto giants in July for the Saudi Pro League side, and his national head coach has revealed his reservation following the transfer.

    At Al-Ettifaq, Nkota is working with Bafana’s fitness and conditioning coach, Kopano Melesi. Broos said Melsei provided the information that saw the forward called up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

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  • Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana, August 2025Backpage

    WHAT BROOS SAID

    “I followed a little, but because he plays in the team of Kopano [Melesi], the physical [conditioning] coach, we have good information about him. He played all the friendly games; I watched a game. I was surprised I could see a pre-season game and an Italian team, and he played well,” Broos said, as quoted by iDiski Times.

    “I heard everything goes well with him there, so why not take him, and we will see – let’s hope for him it can go on the same level he had in Pirates," he added.

    “I’m not so happy when young players go to such teams, but okay, it’s a choice he made; let’s hope everything goes on how it’s been going now.”

  • Mohau Nkota, Bafana Bafana, June 2025Backpage

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Nkota only spent one Premier Soccer League season with the Buccaneers, which can be described as sensational, before he signed for the Pro League outfit in the Middle East.

    He made his Bafana debut during the last international break against Tanzania when he came on as a substitute. He started against Mozambique and had a dream-filled debut as he provided two assists in South Africa's 2-0 victory.

    He has been named in the final 23-man squad that will take on Lesotho and Nigeria in September.

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  • Mohau Nkota, Al Ettifaq, August 2025Al Ettifaq

    WHAT NEXT FOR NKOTA?

    Nkota's journey with Al-Ettifaq started on an impressive note, given that he scored on his debut.

    He now needs to produce more such performances in order to boost his chances of claiming a position in Broos' starting XIs in the upcoming qualifiers.

    South Africa will play Lesotho on September 5 before facing Nigeria on September 9.

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