The 2025/26 Saudi Pro League fixtures have been announced, with the dates for when Mohau Nkota will face the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema now confirmed.
The Saudi Pro League has released the full fixture list and dates for the new season.
For the first time ever, a South African footballer is set to feature in the league after Al-Ettifaq signed Nkota on a three-year deal.
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As such, the former Orlando Pirates star is expected to share the pitch with some world-renowned players, including Ballon d’Or winners Ronaldo of Al Nassr and Benzema of Al-Ittihad.
Al-Ettifaq will begin their season with an opener against Al-Kholood on Thursday, 28 August.
Nkota is set to play his first major match against 2024/25 Asian Champions League winners Al-Ahli on matchday two of the new Saudi season.
Al-Ahli boast a star-studded squad, including Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Ivan Toney, and Franck Kessie.
Nkota’s next clash against one of the Saudi Pro League’s “big four” will be on matchday five, against Al-Hilal, who feature the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Joao Cancelo, Theo Hernandez, Ruben Neves, and Liverpool’s new signing Darwin Nunez.
On matchday 12, Nkota’s side will face Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, a club that also includes Sadio Mané and new arrival Joao Felix.
On matchday 16, Nkota will have the opportunity to face Al-Ittihad, a team featuring Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho.
Here are the dates for Al-Ettifaq’s fixtures against the Saudi Pro League “big four”:
vs Al-Ahli (home) – 12 September 2025
vs Al-Hilal (home) – 17 October 2025
vs Al Nassr (home) – Matchday 12 (29 December 2025 TBC)
vs Al-Ittihad (away) – Matchday 16 (16 January 2026 TBC)
vs Al-Ahli (away) – Matchday 19 (28 January 2026 TBC)
vs Al-Hilal (away) – Matchday 22 (date TBC)
vs Al Nassr (away) – Matchday 29 (date TBC)
vs Al-Ittihad (home) – Matchday 33 (date TBC)
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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