Mohafe on why Chiefs-linked Appollis has been starting on the bench
Polokwane City FC coach Phuti Mohafe has explained why the Kaizer Chiefs-linked winger Oswin Appollis has been starting on the bench lately.
The 22-year-old has started 19 of 22 matches he has played this season and has been instrumental for the side, scoring five goals and turning a provider on three occasions.
Appollis has also become a regular face in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana team having received his maiden call-up when SA took on Benin and Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November.
He was also part of the team that played at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
The former SuperSport United man has been linked with a switch to Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Surprisingly, in their last two league matches against AmaZulu FC and Chippa United, the Rise and Shine coach didn’t include Appollis in his starting line-up.
PHUTI MOHAFE ON OSWIN APPOLLIS STARTING ON THE BENCH LATELY
“Appollis, we just want to bring him slowly but surely into the first eleven,” said Phuti Mohafe.
“Hence, we gave him the two second-halves opportunities in this match and the previous match.
“So, I think with this break, it will help us in terms of tracking very fast to coming into the first eleven.”
Mohafe pointed out what Appollis hasn’t been giving them as a team, saying some of their wingers contribute both defensively and offensively.
‘SOMETIMES APPOLLIS ISN’T GIVING YOU THAT’
“Check the kind of the wingers we have had in the matches we played, this one [against AmaZulu] and the previous match,” he continued.
“We opted for the wingers who can give us the covering in defending, the winger who can go forward.
“And Appollis, sometimes is not giving you that. So, we want to fast-track him to do that.”
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