Rapoo embraces Pirates pressure after emotional debut

New Orlando Pirates defender Neo Rapoo says he initially struggled to believe he was making his official debut for the Soweto club before settling into the occasion against Milford FC.

The 20-year-old left-back made his first appearance for the Buccaneers at the weekend after joining from Siwelele FC during the off-season.

Rapoo had already made close to 50 Betway Premiership appearances during spells with SuperSport United and Siwelele FC, but said representing Pirates for the first time carried a different kind of significance.

“Firstly, I didn’t believe it was actually happening, but once I came on, I just told myself to keep it simple and just enjoy the moment, you know, because I’m privileged to play for this big club and blessed as well,” Rapoo said in an interview published on the official Orlando Pirates website.

His previous top-flight experience helped him manage the occasion, although wearing the club’s famous black and white kit remained a moment he expects to remember for the rest of his career.

Rapoo said the transition to Pirates had been made easier by the welcome he received from his new team-mates. He particularly credited experienced midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula with helping him adjust to his new surroundings.

“It’s been good. I didn’t feel new at all. I felt like I’ve been there before, everyone was friendly you know. Cash (Makhehleni Makhaula) has been agrootmanthat just taught me a lot and made me feel at home.”

The defender also arrived at Pirates alongside several players he already knew. He had previously shared a dressing room with Patrick Maswanganyi, Oswin Appollis and Thalente Mbatha at SuperSport United, while Bohlale Ngwato and Gamphani Lungu joined him at Pirates from Siwelele FC.

“Playing with (Oswin) Appollis, Tito (Patrick Maswanganyi), Thalente (Mbatha) and others at SuperSport and coming here with (Bohlale) Ngwato and (Gamphani) Lungu – it just felt good to be there.”

Rapoo believes his international experience with South Africa’s Under-20 side has also helped prepare him for the demands of playing for one of the country’s biggest clubs.

He was part of the Amajita team that won the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and also featured at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Those tournaments, he said, taught him how to cope with pressure and perform in front of large crowds.

“Yeah, it’s a dream to represent your country, and playing AFCON and the World Cup has taught me a lot about playing at the highest level for my age group. The pressure that comes with it teaches you to calm your nerves and just be ready for when you have to play in front of a lot of fans, and for Pirates as well.”

There is strong competition for the left-back position at Pirates, with Rapoo challenging established players Deon Hotto and Nkosikhona Ndaba.

Rather than viewing that competition as an obstacle, the young defender says it gives him an opportunity to learn from experienced players while demonstrating his own strengths, particularly from set pieces.

“Of course, I’m still learning as a young footballer and learning a lot from Hotto, who has been at the club for a long time, but I do feel that with the quality of set pieces I can produce, I may stand out a bit. Of course, they are both top players that I can learn from as well.”

Born in Rustenburg, Rapoo says his long-term ambition is to play a role in Pirates’ history. He hopes to contribute goals and assists, help the club collect maximum points and reward the supporters for their backing.

“I’m ⁠just a young boy from Rustenburg that wants to be part of the club’s history and contribute with set-piece goals plus a lot of assists and goals just to get maximum points for the club and make the fans happy.”