“He Brings Something Special” — Ouaddou Lavishes Praise On Pirates’ Double-Award Hero Appollis
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised Oswin Appollis’ massive impact after the star attacker claimed a prestigious monthly double on Tuesday.
Appollis scooped both the Premiership Player and Goal of the Month awards for April, proving to be the ultimate weapon in the Buccaneers’ title charge.
The winger is a frontrunner for PSL Player of the Season after clinching his first Player of the Month accolade.
Across four matches in April, the attacker recorded four goals and one assist, underlining his importance in Pirates’ title push. In winning this award, he succeeded his teammate Relebohile Mofokeng, with whom he is set to vie for the Footballer of the Season crown.
The duo has directly combined for 15 goals this season, making them the most lethal creative duo in the league.
Appollis also secured the Goal of the Month award for his spectacular strike against AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium on April 18. The award-winning strike put his brilliant awareness on display, as he carved out space before calmly slotting it home.
With 11 goals and nine assists in 34 appearances across all competitions, the World Cup-bound star has played every single league match this season.
His stellar run includes a vital role in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium, a result that keeps pressure on log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
“Even though I like to speak about the collective project, because for me that is always the most important, Appollis is shining brightly through his teammates,” said Ouaddou. “But I cannot ignore that he is a fantastic player. He brings something special to this team.”
What is Abdeslam Ouaddou’s Tactical Verdict on Appollis?
Ouaddou highlighted Appollis’ unique attributes that unlock stubborn PSL defenses.
“Technically, in terms of finishing in the final third, he has a level of creativity that is incredibly important to us,” Ouaddou explained.
“Like the game against Stellenbosch, it was close. You can put all the tactical plans in place, but sometimes you just need players like Mofokeng, Appollis, Tito [Patrick Maswanganyi], and Andre de Jong—players who bring that magical spark in the final third.”
Can Orlando Pirates Overtake Mamelodi Sundowns to Win the Title?
With Tuesday’s victory, Orlando Pirates moved to 62 points—just two points behind log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. The Buccaneers now hope their Soweto rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, can do them a massive favor by stopping Miguel Cardoso’s Sundowns side at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday.
Should results go their way with three games to go, Pirates could secure their first league crown since the 2011/12 campaign.
Crucially, the 62 points Pirates have already amassed this season surpasses last term’s 61-point finish under former coach José Riveiro, who departed at the end of last season.
In fact, the 62-point tally is the highest points total Pirates have recorded in the PSL era since the 30-game format was introduced, proving the massive structural impact of Ouaddou’s tactical shift. This point is even ahead in all four times they have won the league in the PSL.
Ouaddou’s high-flying side will look to keep their momentum going when they travel to face Magesi at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
