Ouaddou explains Appollis’ surprise omission from Pirates’ MTN8 final XI

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said Oswin Appollis was deliberately used as an impact player during the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns, rather than being selected from the start.

The Buccaneers lost 2-0 to Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, ending their hopes of retaining the MTN8 trophy. Appollis, one of Pirates’ most important attacking players and a Bafana Bafana international, was left out of the starting XI as Ouaddou chose a different tactical plan for the match.

Explaining the decision after the final, the Pirates manager said his selection was based on how he expected the game to develop. The intention was to introduce Appollis later, when his qualities could have a greater effect on the contest.

“Yeah, he’s one of the best players in the country, and in our team as well. But, you know, when you are playing a game, you have a strategy,” Ouaddou said.

The Moroccan coach said matches could be managed in separate phases, with changes planned in advance for the second half.

“You can play in different phases. You have to think, maybe to anticipate about what can happen in the second half. We planned to bring him quickly, maybe after the second half,” he added.

Ouaddou also said the approach was consistent with the way he had managed the previous year, when he identified some players as potential game-changers from the substitutes’ bench.

“I think we did it last year, and you know how I’m working. I all the time have some players starting XI, but for me I have impact players. So today he was part of the impact players,” he explained.

The plan changed earlier than expected after Pirates found themselves chasing the match. Ouaddou said the circumstances meant the team had to consider making an early alteration, although Appollis’ status within the squad remained clear.

“Somebody who can change the game, but the fact that we considered early change our plan because we were chasing. So, yeah, Oswin is a fantastic player. He’s a very important player for us, international player,” he said.

“But, yeah, today we took the decision to bring him as an impact player to change the game.”

Pirates could not recover from Sundowns’ advantage, with the defeat confirming Sundowns as MTN8 champions and leaving Ouaddou’s side to shift their attention back to the Betway Premiership.