Polokwane City FC coach Phuti Mohafe has explained why on-form Bafana Bafana star Oswin Appollis was missing from the match day squad as the club opened their 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign on Saturday.
Appollis was a notable absentee on the field for PLK City during their 2-1 win against AmaZulu FC at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The 23-year-old was the star for the national team during their 3-2 win against South Sudan on Tuesday. He netted a brace in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers clash in Juba.
There has been speculation on the future of Appollis with continuous links to Kaizer Chiefs. The former SuperSport United winger has also been linked with a move to Algerian side USM Alger.
“Oswin is alive, he is here. He didn’t play, he was in the national team, so we had to rest him. We need him more going forward,” explained Mohafe.
WHY BAFANA BAFANA STAR OSWIN APPOLLIS WAS RESTED FOR A BETWAY PREMIERSHIP MATCH
“It was specifically for him because he played two tough games [for Bafana]. So we felt like the way that he performed there, he needed to be rested.”
“As a coach, I am very much proud of him. As a team we are proud of his performances and for him personally, he is doing great for himself, for the club and his family.”
Meanwhile Mohafe also reflected on the 2-1 win against AmaZulu in the first match of the season.
“We started very slowly and sluggish, we didn’t deal well with the long ball and crosses. So we had to quickly apply ourselves to the match so that we neutralised those who were playing long balls. Coming back from one goal down and scoring two to win the match was a good mental strength for us.”
RELATED STORY: Kaizer Motaung Jr issues Oswin Appollis update
