Ouaddou hails Pirates ‘family’ culture as new signing Rapoo tipped for international future

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has backed new left-back Neo Rapoo to become a future international, praising the club’s tradition of identifying and nurturing local talent before sending players to the world stage.

Rapoo, recruited from Siwelele FC and a product of the SuperSport United development system, has quickly impressed the Moroccan coach during pre-season and is set to compete with Nkosikhona Ndaba and Deon Hotto for the left-back position.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Ouaddou highlighted what he sees as a defining feature of Orlando Pirates – a long-standing commitment to discovering players from across South Africa, including remote areas, and helping them develop into elite professionals.

“I think you know better than me the club of Orlando Pirates. They are very involved in the social matter and what I like is, they give the platform to local players. They can scout them from far away from Johannesburg. Sometimes they can find a player in the village and it’s the beauty of football and they make them grow, grow, grow until they send them abroad,” he said.

Ouaddou pointed to the rise of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, among others, as emblematic of that pathway from local prospects to players capable of appearing at a World Cup.

“For me, the story of (Relebohile) Mofokeng, the story of (Mbekezeli) Mbokazi and the story of other players to be at the World Cup and to see them playing at such a high level. This is the story of Pirates, and they continue like that,” he added.

Rapoo ‘part of the process’ at Pirates

The former Marumo Gallants coach placed Rapoo firmly within that tradition, insisting the 23-year-old left-back is more than just a squad option and could follow Ndaba onto the international stage. (Age not specified in original article; no age included in reporting.)

“Rapoo is part of this process, like the other players, young players. I think you have to understand Pirates is a family. I felt this feeling the first day that I signed for that club and from the board inside the club you can see this kindness. They take care about you, and they want you to be successful, whoever came in the club,” Ouaddou said.

He also praised the attitude of the senior members of the squad, stressing that their response to new signings creates an environment in which players like Rapoo can thrive.

“The senior players, they have this legacy. They have this legacy and they are honest people. Because I’ve been playing football for 17 years and I can tell you that sometimes it not the case because when there are new players coming, they are coming, to take positions. But here, the senior players, they’re fighting to keep their position, which is good for me. And in the same times, they welcome them in the club and they help them to set them in the club so Rapoo is one of them I see him really the next with the Nkosinkhona (Ndaba) the next international players.”

High-intensity role and set-piece threat

Ouaddou described both Rapoo and Ndaba as ideally suited to Pirates’ demanding tactical approach, particularly in wide areas, highlighting their capacity to contribute at both ends of the pitch.

“They are full of quality, in terms of capacity to repeat efforts, and if you see our game model it’s very demanding they’re able to combine in the last third. They’re playing high. They’re able to score, they’re able to give you a fantastic cross and the particularity of Rapoo is somebody who is able to be efficient in the set pieces,” he explained.

“So, I think he will bring his competences to our group, as you know we have a lot of games. So, I’m sure he will be successful and overall, he is a top man and very professional.”

Rapoo is aiming to make his Orlando Pirates debut on Saturday against Milford FC, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 at the Orlando Amstel Arena.