Orlando Pirates urged not to rush Oswin Appollis return, says Abdeslam Ouaddou

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says there will be “no risks with the Ferrari” as Oswin Appollis works his way back to fitness ahead of a crucial sequence of fixtures.

Appollis has returned to training with Pirates before their CAF Champions League second-leg meeting with African Stars. The winger trained alongside team-mate Evidence Makgopa as the club assessed whether he could increase his workload without suffering any discomfort.

Ouaddou said the session was designed to test Appollis’ ability to sprint, with the player reporting that he was not in pain.

“I’m happy that he was in training, the target was to see what he can do, in the warm-up to see if he can sprint, it’s good news, he said he doesn’t feel pain,” Ouaddou said.

The positive signs have not persuaded the Pirates coach to take unnecessary chances with the 23-year-old. Appollis remains an important player for the Buccaneers, but Ouaddou is focused on protecting his long-term fitness rather than bringing him back for one particular game.

“But you must understand Oswin is an important player of the team, they are all Ferraris, we need to take care of the engines very well. I don’t want to risk any players ahead of these important games, or burn anything…” he said.

Appollis’ availability is especially significant because Pirates face a demanding period. The Soweto Derby is approaching, while a Carling Knockout Cup fixture against Milford is also scheduled for next week.

Those matches mean the club must carefully manage its squad and avoid accelerating a player’s recovery before he is ready to cope with the intensity of competitive football.

His return to group training is therefore an encouraging development, but it does not confirm that he will play against African Stars. Pirates still need to determine whether Appollis can make a meaningful contribution or whether a further period of rest and rehabilitation would be the safer course.

Ouaddou’s priority is to ensure his key players are fit for the wider challenges facing the team, rather than simply making them available for the next kick-off.