Orlando Pirates have a string of marquee targets. Polokwane and Bafana winger Oswin Appollis is near the top of the list. Here’s why.
Orlando Pirates’ chase of Appollis explained
Polokwane City doesn’t want to sell its talisman, but if it gets a tempting enough offer, then it will surely sell the 23-year-old Bafana wide attacker. Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns are also keen, but why is he in such high demand?
Who else do Pirates want to sign?
Player profile
Oswin Appollis is a rare type of player in South Africa, with a low centre of gravity and the ability to go both ways when confronted by a marker near the touchline. His rare combination of traits makes him a highly coveted operator.
What would Appollis cost?
Elias Mokwana, Khanyisa Mayo and Iqraam Rayners are other South African attackers who’ve made big moves either abroad or within the Betway Premiership. Mokwana moved to Esperance for €370k (R7.2 million), Rayners switched to Sundowns for an undisclosed fee although his estimated transfer value now stands at R35 million (evidence of the power Sundowns have over the market) and Mayo is in Algeria with Belouizdad in a deal which cost his new employers €750k (R14.5 million). Now, Mayo’s value according to transfermarkt is double the price that Cape Town City recouped for the striker. Appollis could easily and justifiably fetch a bigger fee than all three.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of factors, but most of the biggest ones are there. It would be no real shock if Polokwane held out for something around R15 million for Appollis.
Best projected Orlando Pirates XI with three dream signings
Chaine; Van Rooyen, Ndah, Mbokazi, Basadien; Mbatha, Makhaula; Rhodes, Mofokeng, Appollis; Makgopa.
New formation option for Riveiro?
A trio of central defenders Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, dealt with everything thrown at them by a pacey MC Alger attack in a tricky first-leg tie. It was a pragmatic, sensible approach from head coach Jose Riveiro, and it paid dividends. We’re unlikely to see Riveiro use this system in Betway Premiership games. However, it could be just the ticket in tricky continental clashes. It’s yet another trait that Pirates fans love so much about the Spanish tactician: his adaptability.
READ: Players who might be happy Riveiro is leaving
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