Orlando Pirates have completed the acquisitions of defenders Neo Rapoo and Aphiwe Baliti from Siwelele, and central midfielder Matome Mmolai from Leicesterford City, the club announced on its website ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Rapoo is presented as the headline signing for the defending South African champions. The 20-year-old left-back arrives with 42 South African Premiership appearances and was part of South Africa’s African U20 title-winning side last year, the club statement said.
The club noted Rapoo is a product of SuperSport United’s development system, having played 15 top-flight league matches for SuperSport before the Premier Soccer League status moved to Siwelele. He featured in 27 of Siwelele’s 30 league fixtures in 2025-26.
Aphiwe Baliti, 24, offers positional flexibility as a player capable of operating at left-back or right-back. Pirates said Baliti will return to Siwelele on a season-long loan for 2026/27 to continue his development and gain further first-team experience.
Matome Mmolai, 23, joins from Motsepe Foundation Championship side Leicesterford City. The club described him as an energetic, technically gifted central midfielder who will bolster the Buccaneers’ midfield options and fits the recent pattern of signing younger players.
Orlando Pirates also confirmed departures. Gomolemo Khoto and Siyabonga Ndlozi completed permanent transfers to Sekhukhune United, while right-back Tshepho Mashiloane will return to Babina Noko on a season-long loan, the statement added. The club noted Ndlozi had spent a loan spell at Magesi FC and Khoto had a loan at Orbit College last season, and that Mashiloane — signed from Baroka FC a year ago — was sent on loan midway through the campaign after falling out of favour.
