Gavin Lane predicts confident victory for Orlando Pirates in second CAF Champions League qualifying match

Orlando Pirates have officially confirmed the re-signing of Bafana Bafana winger Mokhu Nkoto on loan from the Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq.

The Soweto-based team has brought Nkoto back after a year in Saudi Arabia. His first season abroad had mixed results, and he ultimately could not continue playing due to injury.

Last season, Nkoto played 21 league matches for Al Ettifaq, starting 16 of them. He started his spell promisingly, scoring twice in the first two months, but then failed to maintain momentum and did not score after October.

His season was complicated by international commitments and injury. Nkoto was included in the Bafana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and participated in the tournament, but did not play after the second group stage match against Angola.

Following this, his season was interrupted by a serious knee injury, which ruled him out of the national team and ultimately dashed hopes of making it into Hugo Broos' squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nkoto's return to Pirates gives him a chance to regain his form at a club where he previously established himself as an important attacking player.

The winger's breakthrough season came in 2024/25, when he provided seven goals and five assists in 39 matches across all competitions, starting 29 of them. These statistics demonstrated his ability to provide both creativity and goal threat from the flanks—qualities that Pirates aim to reclaim.

The return is also significant given the changes in the club's attacking lineup since that breakthrough season. Pirates have already lost Relobokhile Mofokeng, who moved to Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, freeing up a spot for another young attacker who will have to take on greater responsibility.

Nkoto's familiarity with the club, combined with his previous productivity, gives coach Abdelsalam Wadee an additional option on the right flank as the Buccaneers continue their title defense.

After a difficult year abroad, this transfer is an opportunity for Nkoto to return to the environment where he first made his mark and remind Pirates and Bafana what he is capable of offering.

The Orlando Pirates team advanced to the MTN8 tournament final after winning the second group match against Sekhukhune United with a score of 2-0, securing an overall victory of 3-0. The match took place on Saturday at the Orlando Stadium.

In the MTN8 semi-final, the second match between Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United ended with a 3-0 victory for the Pirates team, totaling 4-0. Before this match, Pirates held an advantage in the total goal aggregate of 1-0.

Although the Buccaneers dominated throughout the game, two of the three goals scored were registered during the decisive two-minute period just before halftime, allowing the home team to achieve a confident victory.

The Sea Robbers demonstrated threat early in the match, creating at least five scoring opportunities within the first thirty minutes. In the 27th minute, Pirates almost managed to equalize when Gamphani Lungu was unmarked in the penalty area, but the goal was skillfully deflected over the crossbar by Sekhukhune goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla.

A couple of minutes later, Ntando Selepe also had a chance, but his shot went wide of the post. Pirates finally capitalized on their dominance in the 37th minute. Yanela Mbutuma broke through down the left flank, opening up the Sekhukhune defense, after which Tapelo Mokobodi received the cross in front of the defender and calmly directed the ball into the corner of the goal.

Shortly after, a quick counterattack began from a Sekhukhune corner kick, leading to Lungu being one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The striker did not miss his chance, shooting past the keeper and doubling the team's advantage that day.

After the end of regular time, Kamogelo Sebelebele scored the third goal for Pirates, concluding a perfect day for the Soweto giants. This result continues an impressive start to the campaign for Pirates, who are also jointly in first place in the Betway Premiership table with Mamelodi Sundowns, having earned 10 points after four matches. With this victory, the Soweto giants maintain momentum at the start of the season, aiming to win major trophies in all tournaments.

Pirates will now await the winner of the match between Sundowns and Golden Arrows on Sunday to determine their opponent in the cup final.