Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana could be on the verge of turning his temporary stay in the Middle East into a long-term home. Multiple clubs in Saudi Arabia are reportedly queuing up to secure the permanent services of the 26-year-old attacker, whose international career has temporarily stalled.
Despite playing a prominent role in South Africa’s recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) setups under Hugo Broos, the former Sekhukhune United star suffered a massive setback when he was omitted from Bafana Bafana’s final squad for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Now, a permanent move away from North Africa appears to be the blueprint for revitalizing his international ambitions.
The Multi-Club Transfer Battle in the Gulf
Mokwana’s high-profile move to Tunisian powerhouse Espérance de Tunis in 2024—where he made 25 appearances and netted 3 goals—ultimately turned to frustration, precipitating his loan shift to Saudi outfit Al-Hazem.
While his statistical return in front of goal has been modest, his underlying work rate has caught the attention of several monitoring teams.
- Al-Hazem in Poler Position: Mokwana’s current loan club holds the initial option to trigger a permanent buy-out clause. Despite the winger scoring just 1 goal in 24 appearances for the club, team management is reportedly eager to seal the deal.
- The Rivals Circle: Two unnamed rival Saudi clubs have officially entered the frame, expressing concrete interest in hijacking Al-Hazem’s permanent bid.
- The Espérance Stance: Insiders close to the situation confirm that the winger’s chapter in Tunis is officially over. Mokwana will not be returning to Espérance under any circumstances ahead of next season.
The Blueprint to Reclaim the Bafana Jersey
Missing out on the World Cup in North America was an undeniable blow for one of South Africa’s most naturally explosive wide players. However, establishing stable, long-term roots in a highly competitive Gulf league could give Mokwana the consistent platform and structural stability required to win back the favor of the national team selectors post-World Cup.
