Segolela: You can tell what Nkota’s move to Pirates is all about
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Segolela: You can tell what Nkota’s move to Pirates is all about
Sep 5, 2026 – 10:54 am
By Thato Bosoga
Former Orlando Pirates winger Tlou Segolela has opened up on the return of Mohau Nkota, back on loan, at the club.
Both Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq and Pirates confirmed Nkota’s loan deal on Thursday, in what could be viewed as a step-back by one half of football fans while the other half could see it as The Buccaneers getting a major boost, by offering the 21-year-old an opportunity for game-time, as he looks to revive his career after a setback of injuries last season.
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Segolela is in the latter group, as he believes it’s a win-win situation for both Nkota and the Soweto giants.
“For me it’s one of those very interesting moves. It also shows where South African football is moving, the standard of our football has grown. They (Pirates) obviously know the quality of the boy but what is happening with this move,” Segolela said, speaking to KickOff.
“You can tell it’s all about the boy getting enough game-time to get to the level that he wants and now it’s very interesting for him, because The Buccaneers will be in the CAF Champions League, we also need his ability for us to compete, so that we reach the knockouts and obviously go to the final,” Segolela said.
When asked if Nkota’s return puts Ezimnyama under more pressure to defend the Betway Premiership and go all the way in the CAF Champions League, the former speedy winger had this to say.
“Look, whether they like it or not, football is about pressure, you like it or not. Unfortunately you’re the one who set the standard, that this is the level you need to be,” Segolela responded.
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“They won the league, therefore they need to challenge for the CAF Champions League all the way and besides that, they need to go toe-to-toe with Sundowns, they need to show that it was not a fluke (last season), unfortunately.
“That’s the game, it does not need anyone to tell you, it’s what you put yourself in. If you put yourself in that space you need to cope with the demand of it unfortunately,” the double-treble champion with The Mighty Bucs added.
