Teenager Neo Rapoo is the best left back in the country, says SuperSport United’s Gavin Hunt

FILE - SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt reacts on the touchline during a league game. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers

FILE - SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt reacts on the touchline during a league game. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers

Published Oct 18, 2024

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SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt has backed teenage left back Neo Rapoo to have an outstanding football career.

The 19-year-old is in his second season in the Matsatsantsa first team having made his breakthrough in the previous campaign. And in his short career, he’s impressed Hunt so much that the former Kaizer Chiefs boss believes he will earn 100 caps for the national team.

“I don’t want to put pressure on him, but I think he’s the best left-back in South Africa, I think he will, should, get 100 caps in my opinion, but obviously he maybe has to go to the right club,” Hunt said, as quoted by iDiskiTimes.

“But he’s fantastic, has come back strong [after a serious injury], he’s been really good coming back from that horrific injury.

“Certainly, one for the future, you know if I had my way, I would pick him [for Bafana], he is very good, so yeah, let’s see. He needs a bit of time to get back to where he was.”

Aaron Mokoena, who captained Bafana Bafana at the 2010 World Cup in the country, is currently the only player to reach 100 caps for South Africa. At international level, Rapoo has only featured for the Under-17 national team and is yet to get a run in higher age group teams.

Gavin Hunt will hope his wonderkid will be at his best when they take on Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout Cup at 8pm on Saturday night.

IOL Sport