Ouaddou Commends Appollis, the Double Award-Winning Champion of the Pirates
Orlando Pirates’ coach Abdeslam Ouaddou commended Oswin Appollis for his outstanding performances after the exceptional forward secured a remarkable monthly double on Tuesday.
Appollis took home the Premiership Player and Goal of the Month honors for April, reinforcing his importance in the Buccaneers’ quest for the title.
The winger is rapidly emerging as a frontrunner for the PSL Player of the Season, having recently received his first Player of the Month award.
Over four matches in April, he netted four goals and assisted once, highlighting his crucial role in the Pirates’ title pursuits. This recognition follows his impressive feat of outperforming teammate Relebohile Mofokeng, with whom he will be vying for the Footballer of the Season accolade.
The duo has combined for 15 goals this season, establishing themselves as the league’s most prolific creative partnership.
Appollis also won the Goal of the Month award for his stunning strike against AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium on April 18. This goal showcased his keen awareness as he created space and finished with accuracy.
With 11 goals and nine assists in 34 appearances across all competitions, the World Cup-bound player has played in every league match this season.
His remarkable form included a crucial contribution in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium, putting pressure on league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
“While I always emphasize the collective effort, which is my primary goal, Appollis is undeniably standing out due to his teammates,” said Ouaddou. “However, I cannot overlook that he is an exceptional player who brings a distinct quality to this team.”
What is Abdeslam Ouaddou’s Tactical View on Appollis?
Ouaddou highlighted Appollis’ unique skills that can penetrate resilient PSL defenses.
“From a technical standpoint, particularly in critical finishing, his creativity is vital to our approach,” Ouaddou explained.
“For instance, during the match against Stellenbosch, it was a closely contested game. You can implement various tactical strategies, but there are times you need players like Mofokeng, Appollis, Tito [Patrick Maswanganyi], and Andre de Jong—individuals who provide that special flair in the offensive phase.”
Can Orlando Pirates Overtake Mamelodi Sundowns to Claim the Title?
After Tuesday’s victory, Orlando Pirates have climbed to 62 points—just two points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. The Buccaneers are hopeful that their Soweto rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, will assist them by defeating Miguel Cardoso’s Sundowns at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday.
If the results favor the Pirates with three matches remaining, they could capture their first league title since the 2011/12 season.
Remarkably, the 62 points the Pirates have accumulated this season surpass the previous year’s total of 61, which was achieved under former coach José Riveiro, who left after last season.
Indeed, this 62-point figure represents the highest that the Pirates have recorded in the PSL era since the introduction of the 30-match format, underscoring the significant impact of Ouaddou’s tactical changes. This tally even exceeds all previous seasons when they won the league title during the PSL era.
Ouaddou’s high-flying team will aim to continue their winning streak as they take on Magesi at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
