Makola questions Pirates decision to bench Appollis in MTN8 final

Mpho Makola says Orlando Pirates should have started all of their experienced players in the MTN8 final, after Oswin Appollis began the 2-0 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns on the bench.

The decision to leave Appollis out of the starting line-up was one of the most debated moments before the match. The forward had impressed during the latest FIFA window while on duty with Bafana Bafana, but Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou opted not to select him from the outset.

Ouaddou introduced Appollis at half-time after an injury to Kamogelo Sebelebele forced a change. Lungu moved back to the right wing, allowing Appollis, a former Polokwane City winger, to operate on the left.

The 25-year-old was unable to make the desired impact as Pirates chased an equaliser. The Soweto club remained 1-0 behind for much of the final before Mamelodi Sundowns secured victory with a stoppage-time goal.

Makola admitted he was surprised by the team selection, including the second-half introduction of Simphiwe Masilela.

“Look, everyone was surprised; I was also surprised by (Simphiwe) Masilela’s inclusion (in the second half), because they’ve been playing very well, they’ve been consistent in creating chances and winning,” Makola told KickOff.

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder said Appollis’ international status made his omission from the starting XI particularly unexpected for a final.

“Oswin is a national team player; he is an international player, and you go into a final like this? You need all your experienced campaigners to start the game. Obviously, we cannot question the coach’s plan or the technical team’s plans.”

Makola acknowledged that the Pirates technical team may have intended to use Appollis later in the match, but felt that strategy did not produce the required result.

“They had a plan of introducing him in the second half maybe, but it did not work out.”

He added that tactical plans could change during a match and that the coaching staff would have to assess the outcome of their decision.

“Sometimes you plan, the plan does not go accordingly and the coach and the technical team will probably look at themselves and say, ‘This one we’re going to take it’. I was a bit surprised but you also look at the players that played ahead I felt they could do the job,” Makola said.