Polokwane City is set to unleash Oswin Appollis when the Limpopo side host Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (15:30).
Appollis, who was part of the Bafana Bafana side that claimed the bronze medal in the Africa Cup of Nation in Ivory Coast this month, missed the loss to Richard Bay in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 this past weekend.
The former SuperSport United graduate, who joined City from Pretoria Callies before the season got underway, was missed, having provided an assist with his dipping shot which was parried away by Daniel Akpeyi before Mokibelo Ramaru finished off by picking up the rest against Moroka Swallows two weeks ago.
The two combined yet again in the same match, with the latter setting the former, but the Bafana attacking midfielder failed to get control of the ball with his shot skewing out wide, leaving the Appollis crushing on the floor.
“I’m more than happy (that he rested), but I missed him last Saturday,” said coach Phuti Mohafe.
Rise and Shine, who was promoted last term after they won the Motsepe Foundation Championship, have only beaten twice Pirates in 19 matches in all competitions. Their last victory at home against the Soweto Giants was in February 2014.
But they have punched above their belly this season, lying ninth in the DStv Premiership table with 24 points after 17 matches.
However, they have beaten one team in the top eight this season – Stellenbosch FC, accruing six wins in total, but they are looking up and not down.
“That is what we are looking for – the top eight,” said Mohafe, who replaced Lehlohonolo Seema sometime this season.
“If we can finish in the top eight, it will be a big plus for us, big achievements for us.”
With 13 matches left before the season ends, Mohafe said earning 15 points will be a success.
“If we can win five games and you go, try to get seven points, one point here and there, I think we will make it into the top eight,” he said.
Polokwane City has been known to be a notorious club, with an unstable working environment. The club’s chairman, Johnny Mogaladi, is said to be interfering a lot with the team and doesn’t have time to engage the media. Mohafe explained why the team looks stable this season.
“There is a cohesion between the players and the coaches, cohesion between the coaches and the chairman of the team. All the three of us are working very well together hence you see the team is competing better,” said Mohafe.
