South African Youngster Swimming in Saudi Millions After Listening to Benni McCarthy’s Advice

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy’s push to have South African players test themselves abroad is paying off for one of the country’s bright prospects.

McCarthy has always been critical of footballers back home in South Africa for being “too comfortable” and not wanting to test themselves elsewhere but young winger Mohau Nkota opted to listen to him and is reaping dividends.

After just one season in the senior team at South African giants Orlando Pirates, Nkota signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, making a career-defining move that has seen him not just brush shoulders with superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane but also set himself up for life.

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According to Capology, a website that provides details about player salaries and club finances, the 20-year-old is paid €19,615 (R396,000), translating to Ksh2.9 million per week, with his annual pay pegged at €1,020,000 (R20.5 million), about Ksh151 million.

To make it more interesting, there is no taxation in Saudi, meaning Nkota is receiving the entire amount and there is more in performance-related bonuses.

Nkota signed a three-year contract which will see him stay at Al-Ettifaq until June 2028, with the club having the option to extend for a further year, guaranteeing him at least R61.5 million (Ksh453 million), assuming he sees out his deal.

It is a great return for the player who thought his career was over in March 2023 when he suffered a nasty injury that needed several months to heal before he grabbed his opportunity with both hands when he was promoted to the senior team by former Pirates coach Jose Riveiro last season.

Nkota managed seven goals and five assists 39 games for Pirates while he has one goal and two assists in five matches for Al-Ettifaq this season.