‘He’s not a robot’, Ouaddou on protecting Pirates’ ‘diamond’ Appollis

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has shed light on the limited playing time of star player Oswin Appollis this season. Appollis, a vital component of the Pirates squad that secured a treble last year, has transitioned from a frequent starter to primarily a game-changing player under Ouaddou's guidance. At a press conference at the PSL offices in Parktown on Thursday, ahead of Saturday's Carling Knockout quarterfinal against Sekhukhune United at Orlando Amstel Arena, Ouaddou expressed that he is safeguarding his "prized diamond."

"Appollis is a class player – one of the best in South Africa," Ouaddou remarked. "He possesses immense quality, but we must remember that he is human, not a robot." He highlighted Appollis' exceptional debut season with Pirates following his transfer from Polokwane City and his outstanding contribution to South Africa at the World Cup.

The coach emphasized that Appollis, who adheres to high standards, is experiencing fatigue, hence his reduced playing time. Ouaddou admitted to being wary of Sekhukhune United, noting that Pirates have won all three previous encounters, but he anticipates a difficult match. "It's an important fixture," Ouaddou stated. "Playing in front of our fans - our 12th man - gives us strength.

We started preparing for this match immediately after the derby. I have cautioned my players that this will be one of our toughest games under the current coach, Papi Zothwane." He warned that Zothwane might have fully implemented his strategies now, unlike during their earlier meetings, making it a formidable challenge. Ouaddou concluded that success will require Pirates to be at their best. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3 pm.