Former University of Pretoria head coach Kwanele Kopo has opened up about how he helped revive Orlando Pirates forward Oswin Appollis’ football career after the talented attacker considered walking away from the game.

Appollis has since become one of the exciting players in South African football, earning recognition for his performances at club and international level. However, his journey to the top was not always easy, as he experienced a difficult period after leaving SuperSport United.

Kopo was part of the technical team that identified Appollis while he was playing for Ajax Cape Town’s youth structures. The youngster impressed the coaches, who believed he had the ability to progress through SuperSport United’s academy and eventually break into the senior team.

Appollis earned his promotion to the first team, but his situation changed when new coaches arrived and introduced a different playing style. He was eventually released after being considered surplus to requirements.

Following his departure, Appollis struggled to find his way back into professional football. According to Kopo, the attacker spent more than 18 months away from the game before the two reunited at Pretoria Callies.

Kopo explained that convincing Appollis to return was not easy, as the player had lost his motivation and initially refused to consider another opportunity.

The coach continued contacting him for weeks before eventually reaching out to his mother. He promised Appollis that if he returned to football and failed to secure a professional contract within one season, he could return to Cape Town.

Kopo also made it clear that the financial rewards at Pretoria Callies would be limited, explaining that the main objective was to help the youngster rebuild his career.

That decision proved crucial, as Appollis eventually regained his confidence and worked his way back into the professional game.

Orlando Pirates forward Oswin Appollis has revealed why his proposed move to FC Porto collapsed last season. The Portuguese giants showed interest in the player, but the deal fell through after they failed to meet Pirates' asking price. Appollis insists the matter is now behind him. "Right now I'm focusing on winning trophies with Orlando Pirates," he said. The forward added that he remains open to future opportunities, saying he might still receive offers from other European clubs one day.

Appollis has continued to demonstrate his quality since joining Orlando Pirates, contributing goals and assists while establishing himself as an important attacking option.

His performances have also strengthened his position in the Bafana Bafana setup. The forward recently delivered three assists as South Africa defeated Eritrea 5-0 in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

His progress highlights how important the right support and another opportunity can be for a young footballer. Kopo’s determination to bring Appollis back into the game helped the attacker rediscover his potential and continue pursuing his ambitions.

With Pirates competing for major honours and Appollis attracting attention, the forward will hope to maintain his form and help the club achieve its objectives while keeping his European ambitions alive.

Source: IDiskiTimes