Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis has revealed the key reason behind the Buccaneers’ ability to win games through substitutions under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. This season, the Bucs have demonstrated squad depth and resilience, with crucial goals and game-changing moments often originating from players introduced off the bench.
Ahead of Saturday’s Carling Knockout Cup final against Marumo Gallants, the Soweto giants will recall how Tshepang Moremi was the hero of the MTN8 final, coming off the bench to score two goals and provide one assist in the 3-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC. Moremi also scored a goal as a substitute in the 3-0 win against Chippa United.
In that MTN8 final, Appollis provided two assists off the bench in the MTN8 final and recently added another assist as a substitute against Durban City. Midfielder Kabelo Dlamini has registered two assists across eight substitute appearances. On the other hand, Evidence Makgopa has recorded four goals and three assists in 20 total appearances, eight of which have come off the bench.
OUADDOU’S “IMPACT PLAYER” MENTALITY
Appollis credits the Moroccan coach for creating an environment where every squad member, regardless of starting status, is considered an “impact player.”
“As you can see, the quality that we have in our team, no matter if you come from the bench or the starting XI, we’re all good enough to start,” Appollis said. “And there’s only 11 players you can start, and the mentality that the coach created, he tells us that we, as the substitutes, he doesn’t call us that, he calls us impact players. And it’s been working.
“I think a lot of goals came from the bench. So, the coach just imprinted in our heads that we’re impact players, not substitutes.”
Pirates take on Gallants at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday [18h30]. The Betway Premiership table toppers will be hoping to lift their second trophy of the season.
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