Appollis leaves ‘big hole’ at Polokwane City

Polokwane City are going to struggle with the impact of losing Oswin Appollis warned coach Phuti Mohafe after his side were on the receiving end of their former player’s skills in Saturday’s MTN8 quarterfinal.

Man of the match Appollis scored the opener on his Orlando Pirates debut and forced a penalty for the second goal in the 2-0 win over Polokwane City in Saturday’s MTN8 quarterfinal in Soweto.

“No, man, that shows that I trained him well,” Mohafe quipped when asked about Appollis’ performance against his former team.

“He took that to Pirates and the coach that is coaching him now has sharpened him.”

Mohafe said the move that led to Appollis’ 13th minute goal was a training drill they practiced often at Polokwane City last season.

“We know the moment he got the ball we’d have a problem because you must not give him the space inside. Unfortunately, the guy who was supposed to close that gap, he went to slumber and so he (Appollis) caught us.

“But I think the Appollis that I saw today is another Appollis in terms of the movement ability, in terms of the playing ability. I think the guy is improving and I hope that he can do so in going forward.

“It is always difficult to lose a family member. And I lost a family member. So I'm still reeling from losing my family member but he (Appollis) left and all I can do is to wish him well.

“Yes, I'm feeling that. He left he left a big hole in my team and I think for me and for us to replace him is going to take some time,” Mehafe added.