Oswin Appollis’ remarkable rise praised by former coach Kwanele Kopo

A former coach of Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis says he is delighted to have played a part in the 25-year-old’s rise from being without a club to becoming an established Bafana Bafana player.

Appollis has developed into a regular performer in the Betway Premiership since joining Polokwane City before the 2023/24 season. His displays for Rise and Shine quickly attracted interest from bigger clubs, while his international progress confirmed his status as one of South Africa’s most promising players.

The Bishop Lavis-born attacker’s breakthrough followed a difficult period in his career. After leaving the SuperSport United reserves, Appollis spent almost a year without a club before Kwanele Kopo brought him to Pretoria Callies ahead of the 2022/23 Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign.

That move gave Appollis the opportunity to rebuild his career and eventually earn recognition at the highest level.

Kopo, who previously coached AmaTuks, believes the winger has continued to improve since moving to Polokwane City and later Orlando Pirates. He also credited Polokwane City chairman Johnny Mogaladi for giving Appollis the platform to establish himself.

“For me to see him as a critical player for Orlando Pirates, he was a crucial player for Polokwane City, credit to the chairman of Polokwane City, Mr Johnny Mogaladi, for giving him an opportunity,” Kopo told journalists at the University of Pretoria.

“It’s one team that also gives unknown players an opportunity and he excelled at Polokwane City and from there to Orlando Pirates, he has only grown bigger and bigger and I think he has shown his quality more.”

Appollis’ growing international influence

Kopo also pointed to Appollis’ contribution for Bafana Bafana, where he said the player has become increasingly influential under Pitso Mosimane.

The former coach highlighted Appollis’ display against Eritrea, arguing that the winger’s involvement went beyond the official statistics.

“You see him at Bafana scoring goals and creating goals. I watched him against Eritrea, for me he has four assists, because even a rebound is from his shot,” Kopo said.

Appollis’ progression has given Kopo particular satisfaction after the role he played in bringing the player back into professional football.

“So I’m happy to have had a hand in a player that has gone on to contribute so much to South Africa. Together with others that I’ve worked with, the Ronwens, I’m very excited to have played that role and I hope for many more players, there are a lot of players in South Africa,” he added.