Orlando Pirates have detailed how Tuesday evening's CAF Champion's League hero Mohau Nkota, came within inches of nearly losing his career in a Soweto Derby.
Nkota was at his mesmerising best for coach Jose Riveiro's outfit as they managed to get their CAF Champions League group phase journey off to a flying start.
The 20-year-old managed to score two goals on the night, one which included a cracker from distance, giving Pirates a 2-1 win over CR Belouizdad.
It has been a long journey from the man from Kimberly given that just a few months ago, injury nearly derailed his path to stardom.
According to Orlandopirates.com, Nkota suffered a serious neck injury whilst playing for the club's DStv Diski Challenge side in a Soweto Derby in March this year, which according to initial doctor's reports, could have spelled the end of his career before it even began.
"While we were waiting for the results to come out, Mohau (Nkota) was visibly distraught. Asking questions like, 'Am I going to play again? Is my career over? It can't end like this surely?' It was so tough because I could see that the boy was dreading the worst. We didn't know if he would fully recover, let alone return to the sport he loved," Orlando Pirates photographer Thabang Lepule explained.
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Thankfully for Nkota, Pirates and South African football at large, Nkota's injury was not as bad as first presumed and he was able to break into coach Riveiro's side.
It was one of the toughest moments of my life. I had recently started training with the first team, and I believe at DDC I was playing some of my best football. The injury came at the worst time possible. Here I am about to become a professional player, and this happens. During my four to five hours wait at the hospital, I had many thoughts coming into my head but fortunately through God's grace, I overcame my situation.
"My return to playing was slow and taxing on me mentally because I had long dizzy spells and constant headaches."
"It's hard to put into words what this means to me. To score twice in such an important match is a dream come true. I'm just so grateful for everyone who believed in me and for this incredible club," he said.
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