Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why attacking midfielder Oswin Appollis has not featured as regularly as some supporters might have expected this season, revealing that the technical team are deliberately protecting the talented player.

Appollis has attracted attention from Pirates supporters because of his limited involvement in the club's matches this season. With expectations high around the attacking midfielder, questions have emerged about why he has not been given more opportunities on the pitch.

Ouaddou has now addressed the situation, describing Appollis as a special player whom the club considers an important part of its plans. Rather than suggesting that the midfielder has fallen out of favour, the coach explained that the technical team are managing his involvement because of the number of matches ahead.

Speaking about the decision, Ouaddou said: "We are protecting our diamond because we have many games, and we know that if we protect him, we give him this time we know that he will be important for us."

The coach's description of Appollis as a "diamond" has drawn attention to the confidence the technical team have in his ability. It also suggests that the club is looking beyond immediate selection decisions and considering how best to manage the player's contribution over a demanding period.

For a team competing across different competitions, managing players carefully can be an important part of maintaining performance levels. A busy schedule places physical demands on footballers, particularly those expected to contribute creatively and make a difference in attacking areas.

Ouaddou's explanation indicates that Pirates do not necessarily view Appollis' limited game time as a reflection of his quality. Instead, the coach believes giving the midfielder time and managing his involvement could help the team benefit from him when it matters.

However, the coach has not provided a specific date for when supporters should expect Appollis to feature more regularly. His future involvement will likely depend on the team's schedule, technical decisions and how the player is managed during the season.

The revelation may offer some reassurance to supporters who have been wondering why one of the club's attacking options has not been playing as much as expected. It also places attention on the coach's wider approach to squad management as Pirates navigate their fixtures.

For now, Ouaddou appears determined to be patient with Appollis rather than rush his involvement. The coach believes the midfielder can become important to the team, and Pirates supporters will be watching closely to see when their so-called "diamond" gets more opportunities to shine.

Whether that careful approach produces the desired results remains to be seen, but Ouaddou has made one thing clear: Appollis remains highly valued by the Pirates technical team.

Source: https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2118367860183462266?a=Rf8dy-rsiUR8HZKeBgI&s=19