Polokwane City FC coach Phuti Mohafe has weighed in on the Man of the Match performance of his former player Oswin Appollis, who scored on his Orlando Pirates debut against his old club.
The skilful winger was one of a few new faces to feature for the Buccaneers in their MTN8 quarter-final win against Polokwane City on Saturday.
Alongside new teammates Sihle Nduli, Sipho Mbule, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Abdoulaye Mariko, Appollis made a significant impact by scoring the opening goal. His strike was one of two that led the Sea Robbers to a 2-0 victory over the Limpopo outfit.
He also played a role in the second goal when he was brought down in the box, leading to a penalty that Patrick Maswanganyi confidently converted.
Polokwane City mentor Mohafe said he saw a “different” and more improved Oswin Appollis on Saturday afternoon at Orlando Stadoum. He humorously claimed to have “taught” the player well before his transfer to Pirates.
MOHAFE SAYS HE SAW A MUCH IMPROVED APPOLLIS IN PIRATES COLOURS
“It shows that I taught him well, and he has taken it to Pirates,” said Mohafe in the post-match press conference. “And the coach [Abdeslam Ouaddou] that is coaching him now has sharpened him. That movement [getting inside the box, scoring] is a drill that we have been doing.
“And we knew that the moment he gets that ball, we must not give him the space inside. Unfortunately, the guy who was supposed to close that gap went to slumberland a little bit. So, he caught us.
“But I think the Appollis I saw today [on Saturday] is another Appollis in terms of the movement ability and playing ability. But I think the guy is improving, and I hope that he can do so going forward.”
Mohafe added that it would take his team some time to fill the void left by the departure of the Bafana Bafana star.
“It is always difficult to lose a family member. He left and went to a bigger team,” added Mohafe. “All I can do is wish him well. Yes, he left a big role in our team, and replacing him will take some time.”
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