Orlando Pirates have been one of the most active teams in the ongoing transfer window ahead of the new season.
Oswin Appollis is among the players who have been signed by the Sea Robbers to help Abdeslam Ouaddou in his bid to deliver after taking over from Jose Riveiro, who is now at Al Ahly. The former Polokwane City star and Bafana Bafana international is seen as a direct replacement for Mohau Nkota, who left the club a couple of days ago.
A section of stakeholders and the fans feel Appollis, and not Sipho Mbule, is the biggest signing by the Soweto giants. However, former Buccaneer Steve Lekoelea has warned the South Africa winger against putting those words in his mind since they can negatively influence him.
‘Many players start to relax at Pirates'
I hear people say he's the biggest signing [in this transfer window], but this thing is what kills players a lot of the time,” he told Kick Off in his recent interview.
“Because [for example] a player was performing in his previous team Polokwane… many players, when they arrive at a big team, they start to relax and that's when the hard work should start. But they relax.
“But I don't think Appollis would do that because he's a good player, he is a national team player. I think he will do well,” Lekoelea concluded.
Pirates reportedly paid R12 million for the services of the winger ahead of a busy 2025/26 season. Bucs are hoping to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premier Soccer League title after finishing second in the last three editions.
