A Second Chance: Appollis On How Kwanele Kopo Saved His Football Dreams

Orlando Pirates attacker Oswin Appollis has revealed that he was on the verge of quitting football before coach Kwanele Kopo stepped in and reignited his passion for the game. 

The two first crossed paths at the SuperSport United academy, but it was three years ago that Kopo, now head coach of AmaTuks, offered Appollis a crucial lifeline. 

At Pretoria Callies, Kopo gave the talented player a second chance that ultimately awakened the star we now know as a key Bafana Bafana player.

During a recent interview on Metro FM, the 24-year-old winger spoke publicly for the first time about the immense impact Kopo had on his career. 

He detailed the pivotal moment when Kopo’s faith in him made all the difference, highlighting the deep connection between a mentor and his player that led to Appollis's remarkable comeback and his current success in the sport.

‘I’M GRATEFUL FOR KWANELE KOPO’

“I am very grateful for Kwanele Kopo. He is the one who saved my career, because at that point, I was at home and didn't want to play football anymore.

“Kopo called me and never gave up on me. He then called my mother, and she convinced me to go back.

“To this day, we still communicate with one another, and I believe that if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be where I am today.”

He added, “We are a team with a lot of depth and quality. The bench won us the game, and when the coach refers to substitutes, he calls them impact players, which has instilled a lot of belief into the squad.”

“With this young squad, we can compete for both the league and the CAF Champions League.”