Polokwane City coach Phuthi Mohafe has dismissed reports linking winger Oswin Apollis and defender Thabang Matuludi with a move away from the Limpopo-based club with the January transfer window open.

The Rise and Shine duo has constantly been subject to transfer speculation following the meteoric rise of the team since their return to the top-flight division last season after they cliched the 2022/23 Motsepe Foundation Championship title on a dramatic final day.

The pair is heavily linked with moves to the big three, mainly Kaizer Chiefs. Apollis on the other hand has managed to attract widespread interest across the continent thanks to stellar performances for Bafana Bafana.

Now, Orlando Pirates have been mooted as a possible destination for the players after fresh reports claim they beat their fierce rivals to the signatures. However, the City mentor has poured cold water on such speculations.

“You know with this issue of our players being linked with other teams; let it be their agenda. But I think we shouldn’t be engaging with it anymore because it’s just rumors that are flying around and I’d rather not comment further about this,” Mohafe dismissed the rumors.

“But as you checked, the players are here so that tells you something else. Let the headlines fly but I don’t have to talk to these players they know what’s at stake for them.” 

While Mohafe seems to have issued a hands-off warning to potential suitors of his star players, he believes anyone in the team is replaceable as they possess a squad capable of commanding respect and competing at the highest level.

“We have great quality in the team, and we have great depth in the team, and I think we should not be undermined anymore, we just need to say Polokwane City has depth. Everyone in the team is replaceable,” the Limpopo-born coach stated.

Furthermore, following Manqoba Mngqithi’s comments a few months ago that one should undermine Mohafe at their own risk, the 50-year-old tactician has revealed a piece of advice he received from the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor.

“That man has been into football for longer and I have known him for so long. We have been chatting so he just told me that I must not take my head off of my shoulders. I must stay humble and I’m staying humble, I’m still humble,” Mohafe said.

“I’m still humble, so yes, whoever undermines me undermines the team and undermines whatever we are doing at the team, it’s up to him.” 

Rise and Shine will return to league action with a trip to the capital city where they are set to take on SuperSport United at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on 17 January, with the aim of maintaining their third place standing on the log.