Orlando Pirates winger Mohau Nkota could make his first appearance of the season against Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend.
The Buccaneers and The Brazilians meet in the final of the MTN8 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday evening.
Both teams have been on form this season and will meet for the first time this campaign.
Ahead of the final, Nkota was seen training with the team for the first time which indicates he could be available for selection against Downs.
Nkota returned to Pirates on a season-long loan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq on 4 September but due to the injury he sustained last season, he is yet to make an appearance for the Sea Robbers.
The 21-year-old was part of the Bucs academy before he was promoted in 2024. He only played a season before moving to Saudi.
What ex-Pirates winger said about Nkota
Former Sundowns and Pirates winger Lebohang Mokoena feels Nkota returning to Mayfair will help him as well as the club.
“I think he’s got a big role to play, especially with the experience he has gained over the last season or so. Also remember, he was a big part of that Bafana team, as much as he didn’t make the World Cup squad,” Cheeseboy told Soccerbeat.
Mokoena then added that Nkota could be returning to Pirates with one goal in mind: winning the league title.
“Maybe at the back of his mind, he’s thinking, ‘I left without winning the league. Time for me to collect a league medal because this side, it looks like oil prices have increased in Saudi,’” Mokoena joked.
The former winger also believes Nkota’s ability to play on the left could prove particularly valuable for Pirates.
“Looking at the position he is playing, and being a left-footer, I think Pirates are scarce in that department. They only have Moremi starting,” he added.