Ouaddou admits Appollis is below fitness level after MTN8 win

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted that 24-year-old attacker Oswin Appollis is not yet at the fitness level the club wants. Appollis has played in all five of Pirates’ league and cup matches this season and has scored once in the league.

The admission came after Pirates won the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final away to Sekhukhune United in Polokwane. Appollis started the match but was taken off in the 65th minute after struggling to find his rhythm.

Ouaddou said the decision was part of a wider plan to manage Appollis carefully rather than expose him to an injury. The coach believes the attacker can still influence a match despite not being fully fit, but said the technical, medical and performance departments are working to restore him to his best condition.

Appollis made a strong impression during his first season with Pirates last campaign and was among the team’s standout performers at the start of that campaign. His current output is more limited, with one goal so far, although he has remained involved in every fixture.

The coach also linked the situation to the demands placed on players who represented their countries at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He said those internationals had been experiencing difficulties early in the season and that Pirates wanted to avoid further problems by managing their workloads.

Pirates have already seen Thalente Mbatha undergo surgery, while Evidence Makgopa is injured. Ouaddou said those setbacks had reinforced his decision not to keep Appollis on the pitch for a full match when he believes rest is the safer option. The coach acknowledged that players may not always welcome being substituted, but said protecting them was part of his responsibility over a long season.