Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained his careful approach with Oswin Appollis this season.
The winger has struggled to reproduce his impressive form from last campaign.
Appollis has scored once across five appearances this season. Last term, however, he reached double figures and earned Midfielder of the Season honours.
He also helped Pirates secure three trophies during a memorable campaign.
The 25-year-old then represented Bafana Bafana at the FIFA World Cup. Ouaddou believes that tournament has affected several players’ fitness levels.
Ouaddou explains Appollis’ limited playing time
Ouaddou acknowledged Appollis’ importance while discussing his current physical condition.
“You are right to say he’s one of our best players and when you have a diamond in your house you have to protect him,” he said as per iDiski Times.
“Appollis is Appollis you know him. He’s somebody that is 50% I can even say 40% and he can score at any moment so, we are not surprised. He’s not only the player that is not in the fitness state that we want. In Europe as well all the guys who have been in the World Cup, we can see that it’s difficult for them.”
Pirates recently faced Sekhukhune United, with Appollis leaving the contest during the second half.
Ouaddou explained that the decision reflected a wider plan to protect the winger.
“With our performance department, medical department, the technical staff, we are doing everything for him to come back in the good shape. And for that today in the game he’s improving. And today it was a moment for us to protect him maybe for him to rest and not to risk any injury because I have been saying this since the beginning, I knew that all these international players they will be tired.
Pirates determined to avoid more injuries
The Pirates coach said managing Appollis requires careful coordination between several departments.
He also admitted that players sometimes dislike being substituted during matches.
“And in order to protect them I need to anticipate any game injuries. It’s my job to do that sometimes the players they don’t understand it they are not happy to go out. But it’s my duty to protect them because we have seen in other teams that I don’t want to mention they have unfortunately very big injuries.
Appollis was among seven Pirates players who featured throughout all four World Cup matches.
Meanwhile, Evidence Makgopa and Thalente Mbatha have suffered serious injuries after featuring at the tournament.
Ouaddou therefore wants to prevent further setbacks as the campaign continues.
“So, in Pirates we want to avoid that with our international players. We already have two players that have had surgery with Mbatha, and we have Makgopa injured as well so we don’t want to have more players injured because the season will be very long.”
The post Orlando Pirates coach explains Oswin Appollis’ slow start appeared first on iHarare News.
