Simo Bophela on the struggles of breaking into Pirates first team

One of the Bophela Twins, Simo, has opened up about struggling to make a mark in the Orlando Pirates first team and the lesson learnt at the club.

Simo and Simiso Bophela were promoted to the Buccaneers’ first team in 2020 after impressing in the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side.

They were sent on loan moves to different teams, including Venda FC, Platinum City Rovers, and Sekhukhune United. Simo has now resurfaced at SAFA ABC Motsepe League side Kakamas Juventus in the Northern Cape.

Simiso was reportedly training with the new Motsepe Foundation Championship side Kruger United.

WHY THE STAY AT ORLANDO PIRATES WAS A DREAM COME TRUE DESPITE LACK OF GAME TIME FOR BOPHELA TWINS

Simo describes his time at the Soweto giants as a dream come true. But he admits it was not easy to break into the team.

“For me, it was a dream to train with those people that I always watch on TV,” he told FARPost.

“I learnt a lot, especially each and every chance you get in football, you need to use it. If you don’t use it, there are other people that will grab that opportunity. Obviously, our wish was to get as much game time in the first team as we did before [on the development side].”

SIMO BOPHELA ADMITS THE STANDARD AT ORLANDO PIRATE FIRST TEAM WAS HIGH

“But it was not easy and the level is not the same. When you move to the first team, it is not the same as in development. When you go to the first team and you get a chance in two games, you need to impress,” he said.

“But we enjoyed our time at the club and learned a lot because Pirates is not a small team. So if an opportunity like that comes again, I will grab it with both hands.”

The 24-year-old is now playing under former Orlando Pirates midfielder Lebogang Mothibantwa at the ABC Motsepe League side.

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