Ouaddou says Pirates are carefully managing ‘diamond’ Appollis

Orlando Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou says Oswin Appollis is being protected from fatigue as the club continue competing on multiple fronts, insisting the forward is “not a robot”.

The 25-year-old has featured during the current campaign but has mostly been used as a substitute, in contrast to his regular starting role during his first season at Pirates.

Appollis played a key part in the Soweto club’s Betway Premiership title success last season after making an immediate impression following his move from Polokwane City.

Ouaddou believes the player’s workload must now be managed carefully, particularly after a demanding season and his involvement with Bafana Bafana at the FIFA World Cup.

“Appollis is a masterclass; Appollis is one of our best players. He is one of the best players in South Africa, and he’s full of quality. But we don’t have to forget, he’s a human, he’s not a robot,” Ouaddou told the media.

“He played a fantastic season in his first season at Pirates, coming from Polokwane, where a lot of things have changed for him. And he managed to handle all these things.

“He had a wonderful, fantastic season and straight away, he went to the World Cup, and it’s not only him. There are many players in Europe, many players in other clubs.

“Appollis gave everything for his country. So, he’s a guy who is not cheating. So we can understand one moment that sometimes a player can maybe have this fatigue.”

‘We are protecting our diamond’

The Pirates manager said the club’s decision to limit Appollis’ minutes was intended to preserve his fitness rather than exclude him from important matches.

“So, we are protecting our diamond. We are protecting our diamond because we have many games and we know that if we protect him, we give him this time, we know that he will be important for us,” he added.

“We will benefit from this protection that we give him, but soon, you are going to see Appollis back. For me, it’s just somebody that I love, and I don’t want to burn him.”

Pirates return to action on Saturday when they host Sekhukhune United in a Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Appollis will hope to make a significant contribution as the Sea Robbers attempt to reach the semi-finals and maintain their bid for another domestic trophy.