Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed the reason why Oswin Appollis is not a regular of late, saying they are managing his game time with a taxing season in mind.
After becoming a key player at Pirates last season and forming a lethal partnership with Relebohile Mofokeng, Appollis has seen less game time in recent matches. The 25-year-old winger has started one of Pirates’ four games after the September FIFA international break.
That includes not making the matchday squad against Milford FC in the Carling Knockout first-round match. It is also a season in which the former Polokwane City FC star has managed two goals and three assists in nine Betway Premiership matches.
He is yet to score or provide an assist in cup games and the CAF Champions League.
‘HE IS A MASTERCLASS’: OUADDOU’S HIGH PRAISE FOR OSWIN APPOLLIS
Ouaddou opted to dig for superlatives in describing Appollis’ qualities as he also explained why the wideman has seen fewer playing minutes of late. The former Morocco defender cited protecting Appollis from fatigue as the major reason why he has not played much.
“Appollis is a masterclass; he is one of our best players. Appollis is one of the best players in South Africa,” Ouaddou told journalists during a Carling Knockout media event at the PSL headquarters in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Thursday.
“But we don’t have to forget that he is human. He is not a robot. Appollis played a fantastic season in his first season at Pirates after coming from Polokwane City FC.
“You know, a lot of things have changed for him, and he managed to handle all these things. He had a wonderful, fantastic season straight away. He went to the [2026 FIFA] World Cup, and it’s not only him.
“Many players in Europe, at other clubs. He played the games; he gave everything for his country. So, he is a guy who is not cheating. We can understand one moment that sometimes a player can have this fatigue.
“So, we are protecting our diamond. We are protecting our diamond because we have many games, and we know that if we protect him, we give him his time.
“We know that he will be important for us. We will benefit from this protection that we give him. But soon you are going to see Appollis back.”
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