Bafana boss explains how Pirates coach Ouaddou has elevated Appollis’ game

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has lauded Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou for improving the qualities of winger Oswin Appollis.

Appollis joined Pirates before the start of this season from Polokwane City and has become a key player for the PSL leaders as well as the national team.

The winger has so far scored four goals and provided six assists in 22 matches for Pirates while he has three goals and two assists in his last five games for Bafana Bafana.

However, while his attacking game was well-known even before he joined Pirates, Broos is thrilled that Appollis is now taking on defensive responsibilities, something he believes has been instilled in him by the very demanding Ouaddou.

Broos happy with Appollis’ improvements

“Oswin has made a very big progression, so when I first saw him play in his former team, the qualities were there but it was only in the offensive way,” said Broos.

“I think Oswin has become more mature now, he’s playing at Pirates. I think his coach there has helped him a lot. I see him working now, he works a lot.

𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐬: 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝; 𝐎𝐮𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐨𝐮 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐦🇿🇦

Bafana Bafana Head Coach Hugo Broos says Oswin Apollis has progressed immensely at Orlando Pirates

Broos credits Abdeslam Ouaddou for his progression#BafanaBafana #Broos #Chicago 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/wJ5zhgpEE7

— Karabo Selebalo Phasha (@TheeSportsGuy01) December 11, 2025

“He’s dangerous on the ball, he’s a good passer of the ball and he has become very important for Orlando Pirates and he’s been important for Bafana Bafana in the past games.”

With Appollis now happy to track back to help the team regain possession, Broos feels that will be key for Bafana Bafana going forward, something he did not get from the player previously, forcing him into some tactical tweaks.

What has Pirates winger added to his game?

“He’s scored goals, always dangerous when he’s on the ball. He helps us a lot when we don’t have the ball. He’s progressed a lot,” he added.

“Even though he’s small, he has the energy of someone who’s two times higher than him. I’m very happy with him really.”

Appollis is among those in the current Bafana Bafana squad who featured at AFCON 2023 although he was a bit-part player who only featured in the final match, coming on as an extra-time substitute in the third-playoff against DR Congo.

However, he heads to the 2025 edition as one of the starters and possesses the quality to light up the December 21 to January 18 tournament in Morocco.