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‘We Had to Start With Good Intensity’ – Rapoo

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Neo Rapoo of Orlando Pirates during the CAF Champions League 2026/27 Preliminary Round 2nd Leg match between Orlando Pirates and La Cure Waves SC at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on 12 September 2026 ©Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates left-back Neo Rapoo has revealed that the Buccaneers were determined to make home advantage count during their win over La Cure Waves.

The Buccaneers have booked their place in the next round of the CAF Champions League after completing a 3-1 aggregate victory over La Cure Waves.

The Buccaneers sealed their progression with a convincing 3-1 win on Friday night, securing a 3-1 aggregate triumph and keeping their continental campaign on track.

Pirates will now turn their attention to the second preliminary round, where they will face Namibian champions African Stars for a place in the group stage.

Rapoo says head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou urged the players to start with intensity, with the team motivated by their desire to progress to the latter stages of the competition.

“We knew what we had to do from the start,” Rapoo said in his post-match interview.

“Coach (Abdeslam Ouaddou) told us that we have to score in the first 15 minutes and I think the guys were motivated because they wanted to reach the final stages of the CAF (Champions League).

“But we knew when we come here, home, that we have a 12th man supporter. So we had to start with good intensity, score first and keep going and score as many goals as we can.

“We knew what we had to do, they weren’t going to beat us at home. So we decided to keep going and create chances and we knew we going to get goals.