Lebohang Mokoena shares his views on Pirates’ pursuit of Oswin Appollis
Former Orlando Pirates winger Lebohang Mokoena has shared his thoughts on the club’s reported interest in Bafana Bafana star Oswin Appollis.
According to several media houses, the Polokwane City FC star – Appollis is reportedly close to sealing a move to Pirates in the upcoming January transfer window.
Appollis was heavily linked with a big move away from Polokwane City before the start of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership. However, the move could not materialise.
The 23-year-old attracted interest from clubs such as Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, MC Alger and Esperance. Appollis became one of the most sought-after players in the PSL after an impressive maiden season in the SA’s top-flight with PLK City last season.
In the previous campaign, the former Pretoria Callies attacker scored seven goals and provided five assists in 31 appearances across all competitions. This season, Appollis has played 12 matches so far and scored one goal.
His rise to prominence has earned him a regular place in the Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad. Appollis won the bronze medal with Bafana in the 2023 AFCON earlier this year in Ivory Coast.
MOKOENA BELIEVES THE SIGNING OF APPOLLIS WILL EASE PRESSURE FROM PIRATES ATTACKERS
Following recent developments in Appollis’ future, Mokoena says the skilful winger will be a good addition to the Pirates squad. The ex-Bucs star is of the view that Appollis joining the Soweto giants will ease the pressure from Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Monnapule Saleng and Patrick Maswanganyi.
“You know, when it comes to Pirates, and things are not settled, you have players that are playing in that position [left-wing] that are misbehaving maybe and not doing the right things,” Mokoena said on the SoccerBeat YouTube podcast.
“Once players start being bigger than the club, that’s where they’ll make sure that they overload that position and bring in someone. The other possibility could be that Mofokeng is moving somewhere overseas; they would want to replace him as soon as possible and not wait until the last minute.
“With the misbehaving, I’m talking about Saleng and Maswanganyi. At Pirates, every season, I might be on my best form, but come mid-season, they’ll have a new winger. We were three or four in the same position.
“So it’s good for the club because they are competing in all these competitions. If they are struggling, they’ll need a player like Appollis because if you have Tito and Saleng out, you’re only relying on Rele and Nkota. Once one of those players gets injured, then who will make things happen? So I think it will be a great move for Pirates.”
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