Orlando Pirates Revamp Squad for 2026/27 with Key Signings
Orlando Pirates have moved early and decisively in the market, sealing three signings and confirming a trio of departures as the Buccaneers reshape their squad for the 2026/27 campaign.
The Soweto giants have brought in promising full-back Neo Rapoo, versatile defender Aphiwe Baliti and energetic midfielder Matome Mmolai, while parting ways with Gomolemo Khoto and Siyabonga Ndlozi, and sending Tshepho Mashiloane back out on loan.
This is not a quiet refresh. It is a clear statement of intent.
Rapoo: Modern Full-Back for a Modern Pirates
At just 20, Neo Rapoo arrives from Siwelele FC carrying the profile of a modern full-back and the pedigree of a serious prospect.
A product of SuperSport United’s development system and already capped at youth level for South Africa, Rapoo offers the kind of dual threat Pirates have been craving down the flank. He defends with discipline, but once the ball turns over, he surges forward, comfortable stepping into attacking zones and linking play.
Energy. Technique. Potential. Pirates are betting big on all three.
If the Buccaneers want to stretch teams and dominate transitions next season, Rapoo looks tailor-made for that blueprint.
Baliti Signs, Then Heads Back on Loan
Also arriving from Siwelele is 24-year-old defender Aphiwe Baliti, a player whose value lies in his flexibility as much as his experience.
Primarily a left-back, Baliti can slot in on either side of the defence, a rare asset in a long domestic season. He has already tasted the demands of the top flight, and his athleticism and adaptability tick key boxes for a squad chasing consistency and depth.
But there’s a twist.
Baliti will not be in the Pirates dressing room week in, week out just yet. The club has confirmed he will return to Siwelele FC on a season-long loan for 2026/27, a move designed to keep him playing regular first-team football while remaining firmly in the Buccaneers’ long-term plans.
It’s a strategic play: secure the asset now, let him sharpen his game elsewhere, then bring back a more complete defender.
Mmolai Bolsters the Engine Room
Completing the incoming trio is central midfielder Matome Mmolai, signed from Leicesterford City.
At 23, Mmolai fits the profile of the modern central midfielder Pirates have been trying to stack their squad with: technically sound, energetic, and comfortable operating across different phases of play. He can take the ball under pressure, recycle possession, and still have the legs to press and support attacks.
His arrival thickens the competition in the middle of the park, an area that often defines title challenges and cup runs. With a long season ahead, having another reliable option in central midfield could prove decisive when the schedule tightens and the margins narrow.
Khoto and Ndlozi Move On, Mashiloane Heads Back to Babina Noko
While new faces arrive, others move on.
Orlando Pirates have confirmed that Gomolemo Khoto and Siyabonga Ndlozi have completed permanent transfers to Sekhukhune United. Both players now get the chance to establish themselves at Babina Noko, trading the intensity of the Pirates spotlight for a fresh platform in Limpopo.
There is also a familiar journey for right-back Tshepho Mashiloane, who will return to Sekhukhune United on a season-long loan. The move offers him another opportunity to accumulate minutes and refine his game in a competitive environment.
The message is clear: Pirates are trimming where they must and investing where they believe the future lies.
As the 2026/27 season approaches, the Buccaneers have quietly assembled a new layer of youth, versatility and technical quality. The only question now is how quickly these pieces can click into place once the real battles begin.
