Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why attacker Oswin Appollis has seen limited playing time in recent matches.
The Buccaneers coach addressed the issue following his team’s Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal victory over Sekhukhune United on Saturday.
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Appollis was once again named among the substitutes, having also started on the bench in a few of Pirates’ previous matches.
Ouaddou urged people not to read too much into the situation or create unnecessary speculation about the attacker’s role in the team.
According to the coach, Pirates are carefully managing the player’s involvement to ensure he is available and in good condition for the most important part of the season, which includes a demanding run of crucial matches.
“I already explained the situation of Appollis. You see, in Paris Saint-Germain now, Luis Enrique said that he’s going to play [Achraf] Hakimi in January,” said Ouaddou, in his post-match interview on SuperSport TV.
“Why? Because they have seen with the numbers that this guy maybe he risks injuries and they don’t want to lose him. It’s the same for us. There is nothing about around Appollis.
“People must stop to create any polemics. Appollis is one of our best players, and we want to protect him for the most important games.”