Pirates Bracing for Saleng and Mofokeng Exits

Orlando Pirates are preparing for the potential departure of Monnapule Saleng and youngster Relebohile Mofokeng to Europe, by promoting their Diski Challenge team youngster Mohau Nkota to the first team. According to PSLSA, Nkota was expected to sign a senior team contract in July, however, the club had already signed a number of players for that position.

Siya sources close to the player and the club have indicated that the 17-year-old could now be promoted to the first team as they want to fill gaps in the squad. Mofokeng has since been spotted back with Pirates in South Africa, preparing for the Cape Town Spurs game, but a transfer to Europe in the near future cannot be ruled out.

“At this point everything is in place for Mohau (Nkota) to be promoted to the senior team. They just want to be ready in case Rele (Mofokeng) or Monnapule (Saleng) leave in January,” said the Siya source. “But also this is the plan for the club to see at least one or two academy or development players being promoted every season. You have seen Thabiso Sesane and Rele going through that process and Mohau is the next one,” the source added.

A second source added that the youngster has been training with both the DDC team and the senior side as they prepare him to step up. “Talking about being ready I think he is ready because most of the time he trains with the senior team mainly when the other players are playing away games,” said the second source. “They have to train with the remaining players. That gives him the chance to use that experience in the DDC games. But in January they want to register him for the senior team so that he learns more and is ready for any time they would call upon him to feature in some games,” the source added.

Orlando Pirates have yet to comment on the potential promotion of Mohau Nkota, but with the potential departure of Monnapule Saleng and Relebohile Mofokeng to Europe, the club may look to the youngster to fill the gaps in their squad.