Oswin Appollis shares how AFCON 2023 experience is benefiting him now

Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis is crediting his good start at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to the experience gathered at the 2023 tournament.

Appollis was part of the Bafana squad at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast but was a peripheral figure as he spent nearly the whole tournament watching from the bench.

He would get just 35 minutes, coming on as a second half substitute, in the third-place playoff against DR Congo, which South Africa won on post-match penalties to clinch a bronze medal.

Appollis says while he had a few minutes, it was helpful and he is now more confident and went into the 2025 tournament knowing what is expected of him, leading from the front as he scored the opening goal in South Africa’s 2-1 win over Angola on Monday.

Appollis opens up on impact of AFCON 2023

“Getting those few minutes helped me, you know,” Appollis told SABC. “I felt the level at that time and it did not change, it is the same, very tough but we managed to get the three points and that is what is important.”

The Orlando Pirates winger says the camaraderie within the team is also making it fun to play at AFCON with players supporting each other whether they get minutes or not.

“Training, the guys have been working out. It does not matter who the coach calls, everyone can do the job. They are all quality as you can see in our group so I am happy we got the opportunity to play in the AFCON. It is a big tournament,” he added.

Appollis will be looking to add another goal when Bafana Bafana take on record African champions Egypt on Friday with both teams heading into the contest having won their AFCON openers 2-1.