Orlando Pirates midfielder Oswin Appollis did not hold back his true feelings after being handed the R100,000 Man of the Match award following the club’s 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup final on Saturday night.
The Soweto giants were locked in a fierce contest in the sold-out final against the Bloemfontein-based outfit at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Relebohile Mofokeng’s solitary goal in the 104th minute of the showdown was enough to hand the Buccaneers their second trophy of the season under the tutelage of Abdeslam Ouaddou.
In the game against Bahlabane ba Ntwa, Appollis was voted Man of the Match by the fans, pocketing the R100,000 prize money.
OSWIN APPOLLIS’ MIXED EMOTIONS ON CARLING KNOCKOUT CUP MAN OF THE MATCH
In a post-match interview, Appollis admitted he didn’t deserve the Man of the Match prize money. He cited that it should have gone to someone else. Nonetheless, he was thankful to the fans who voted for him.
“You know, as players, we speak and encourage each other. We motivate one another when we don’t have our best game. Like I said in the TV interview, today wasn’t my best game, you know. I think someone else deserved it more,” Appollis told journalists in Polokwane.
“But the Carling Black Label Man of the Match is voted on by fans. Thanks to the fans, but I believe someone else deserved it.”
OSWIN APPOLLIS REACTS TO LIFTING SECOND TROPHY OF THE SEASON
The former Polokwane City FC player reflected on winning their second trophy of the season. Bucs came into this final having secured the MTN8 title in September 2025.
“We have been working hard, you know, towards our goal. We showed it throughout the league and cups that we have been fighting to lift a trophy,” added the Bafana Bafana star.
“So, just like we showed today [referring to Saturday’s game]. The boys fought a good fight, and we managed to take a second cup home.”
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