Polokwane City interim coach Phuti Mohafe says they rested Oswin Appollis to protect him and to arrive in the Bafana Bafana camp fresher ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who made his senior international debut last month against Rwanda, has been one of the standout players in the league.
With five goals and three assists to his name in 17 appearances, he’s been the most threatening player in the Rise and Shine team that’s ninth at the halfway mark of the camping heading into the 2023/24 mid-season break.
“Appollis [was] not in the team, he’s heading to the national team, he’s going to AFCON, we said ‘no, let’s give you a rest’, so we rested him to arrive fresher in the national team,” Mohafe said after the 0-0 draw with Sundowns.
“It was from the team [we decided] this together with him.”
It’s been a renaissance of one of the most promising talents in South African football, where his career seemed to have been falling apart a couple of years ago.
After starring in the second-tier with Pretoria Callies, Polokwane were one of the few DStv Premiership sides willing to take a chance on his talent, and Mohafe is confident they can retain him beyond the upcoming transfer window in January.
“Appollis has a contract with Polokwane City and I think he will still be with the team [after AFCON] next year,” he concluded.
