Bafana Bafana and former Sekhukhune United forward Elias Mokwana has completed a high-profile move to Saudi Arabia.
He follows in the footsteps of ex-Orlando Pirates winger Mohau Nkota, who recently joined Al-Ettifaq.
Mokwana was officially unveiled by Saudi outfit Al-Hazem on Wednesday after agreeing to a season-long loan from Tunisian giants Esperance.
The club expressed their excitement at capturing the Bafana Bafana attacker, who arrives in Saudi Arabia after just one campaign in North Africa.
The 25-year-old attracted interest from Russian clubs Pari Nizhniy Novgorod and Dinamo Makhachkala but was persuaded to join Al-Hazem by former Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri.
Kadri had been impressed by Mokwana’s performances in Tunisia, where he played a key role in Esperance’s domestic treble last season.
Despite a slow start in Tunis, Mokwana finished the campaign with six goals and four assists, registering 11 goal contributions across more than 30 appearances. His efforts helped Esperance lift the league title, Tunisian Cup and Super Cup in his debut season.
It remains unclear whether Al-Hazem’s loan deal includes an option to buy, but reports suggest the club is ready to invest around 800,000 USD (R14 million) to secure his services permanently if he shines in Saudi Arabia.
Based in Ar Rass, Al-Hazem are two-time league champions, though their last title came in 2021.
They recently earned promotion back to the Saudi top flight ahead of the 2025/26 campaign and will look to Mokwana to bolster their attack.
Mokwana’s arrival sees South Africa add another representative in one of world football’s fastest-growing leagues, as the Saudi Pro League continues to lure international talent with its financial muscle.