Have Orlando Pirates found replacement for Mohau Nkota? Bucs promote exciting attacker amid reported Relebohile Mofokeng interest

Amid reports of massive overseas interest in Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando Pirates have promoted their exciting forward Neo Mokoena into the first team.

Mokoena's agency recently confirmed the youngster has been given a first-team contract.

However, Mokoena's promotion is largely tied to Mohau Nkota's exit, as he is assumed to be a natural replacement for the Bafana Bafana forward who left to join Al-Ettifaq FC of Saudi Arabia.

While Bucs pre-season in Spain intensified, fans were fed a shocking news update regarding Nkota, with the highly rated forward completing a transfer to join Al-Ettifaq.

Bucs fans are still sitting on the edge regarding Mofokeng's future. The 20-year-old has been linked with an overseas move, and that means there is a high possibility that he might not be part of the team next season.

Meanwhile, Mokoena's elevation follows a tradition the Sea Robbers have faithfully followed in the past, where youngsters from their junior side get elevated. Mofokeng, Nkota, Thabiso Sesane, Siyabonga Ndlozi, and Boitumelo Radiopane are some of the players who followed that development path into the senior team.

With Mofokeng's future unsettled and Nkota's move already sealed, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou needs to come up with a strategy that ensures his attacking department remains competitive.

This could be Mokoena's chance to shine and earn a career breakthrough just like Nkota and Mofokeng.

The Moroccan coach needs an overall team that is competitive, as he is set to lead Bucs in multiple competitions: CAF Champions League, Premier Soccer League, Nedbank Cup, MTN8, and Carling Knockout.