Nkota and Mokwana duel ends with Saudi Pro League draw

Mohau Nkota came off the bench to save a point for Al Ettifaq and spoil Elias Mokwana’s potential game-winning assist for Al Hazem in a 2-2 draw on Friday in the Saudi Pro League.

هدف! ⚽️🔥
نكوتا يسجّل التعادل للاتفاق في الدقائق الأخيرة 💪#الاتفاق_الحزم pic.twitter.com/v4ZX8gDDa5

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) October 31, 2025

Former Orlando Pirates star Nkota scored his second of the season for Ettifaq, who ended a rough two-match losing streak with the result against fellow strugglers Hazem.

Hazem also put an end to a two-match spell of losses and it was a positive moment for former Sekukhune United winger Mokwana, who produced his first goal contribution in his ninth match for the club since joining from Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis.

من كل الزوايا 🎥
عمر السومة من أول لمسة يسجّل الهدف الثاني ويمنح الحزم التقدّم بالنتيجة ⚽️🔥#الاتفاق_الحزم pic.twitter.com/Ryi8BQHLbF

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) October 31, 2025

Mokwana cut inside from the left wing in the 65th minute and his shot attempt went right into Syrian striker Omar Al Somah, who did well to control and fire in to complete a two-goal burst after the hour mark. A few minutes prior, Ettifaq striker Moussa Dembele received a red card to give visitors Hazem a great opportunity to claim a rare away win.

But after coming on in the 72nd minute, Nkota was the hero for hosts Ettifaq. The 20-year-old Bafana Bafana forward reacted quickest to fire in low after fellow substitute Majed Mohammed Yazid Dawran’s mazy dribble run was disrupted in the Hazem penalty area. The pacey winger now has two goals and an assist in eight matches for Ettifaq.

Both South African attackers and their clubs have plenty of work ahead in the increasingly competitive Saudi top flight. Ettifaq now sit in 11th place on eight points while Al Haem are two points back in 14th position.