Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why Oswin Appollis has not featured as regularly as expected during the current season, despite being one of the club’s standout performers last campaign.
The attacker was a regular member of the Pirates team that secured a domestic treble last season. However, he has increasingly been used as a substitute this term, with limited appearances from the starting line-up.
Appollis was also left on the bench for two major fixtures: the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns and the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
Pirates lost the MTN8 final to Sundowns but later defeated Chiefs to claim the bragging rights in the derby.
Pirates Managing Appollis’ Fitness After Demanding Schedule
Ouaddou said the decision to limit Appollis’ involvement is intended to protect him from fatigue and ensure he remains available for the club’s demanding schedule.
The coach praised the player’s quality, describing him as one of the best footballers in South Africa, but stressed that he also needs time to recover.
“Appollis is a master class, he is one of our best players. Appollis is one of the best players in South Africa but we don’t have to forget that he is human. He is not a robot,” Ouaddou told the media.
He also recalled the attacker’s impressive first season at Pirates after arriving from Polokwane City, noting how quickly he adapted to the club.
World Cup Commitments Contributed to Player Fatigue
The Pirates coach pointed to Appollis’ international commitments as another factor behind the decision to manage his playing time.
According to Ouaddou, the attacker had a demanding season with the Buccaneers before representing his country at the World Cup, where he continued to give his best.
He said the workload was not unique to Appollis, explaining that players at other clubs, including those in Europe, also experience fatigue after demanding domestic and international schedules.
“He went to the 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,” Ouaddou explained.
The coach added that Appollis had not held back in his performances and deserved consideration for the physical demands placed on him.
Ouaddou Confident Appollis Will Return to the Starting Line-Up
Ouaddou insisted that the reduced game time does not reflect a loss of confidence in Appollis or concerns about his ability.
Instead, Pirates are deliberately managing the attacker’s workload because they consider him an important part of their plans for the remainder of the season.
The coach described the player as a valuable asset and said the club expects to benefit from allowing him sufficient time to recover.
“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,” he said.
Ouaddou concluded by assuring supporters that Appollis would soon return to action more regularly.
“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,” he said.
