Orlando Pirates forward at the centre of unpaid R2.4 million fee 

Nearly a year after Oswin Appollis‘s high-profile move to Orlando Pirates, a financial dispute over his transfer fee remains unresolved, casting a shadow over his successful debut season.

Appollis joined the Buccaneers from Polokwane City on July 1, 2024, and has since become a key player, featuring in all 44 of the club’s matches this season. His impressive record of 12 goals and nine assists has put him in contention for top PSL awards and secured his spot in the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, behind the scenes, a disagreement over payments has emerged. Moses Malada, the chairman of Pretoria Callies, claims his club is owed a portion of the transfer fee paid by Pirates to Polokwane City.

“I’m still fighting with Polokwane over the sell-on agreement on Appollis,” Malada revealed to KickOff.

Callies slam Polokwane for not honouring deal

Polokwane City signed Appollis from Pretoria Callies, then a Motsepe Foundation Championship side, two years before his transfer to the Soweto giants. According to Malada, the deal included a 15% sell-on clause, entitling Callies to a share of any future transfer fee.

“Polokwane were supposed to pay us when he transferred to Pirates,” Malada stated. “I know that Pirates definitely paid them all the money, so they must give us what is due to us.”

Malada explained the initial transaction, saying, “We sold him to Polokwane for R900,000 and put a sell-on clause, knowing he would likely be sold again. The R900,000 was paid without any problem, just like they paid for other players they got from us.”

The chairman expressed his frustration with the lack of progress. “It has been almost a year now, and I cannot keep this quiet anymore,” he said. “I have written emails and made phone calls to Johnny Mogaladi (Polokwane City’s chairman) without any luck.”

Pirates star’s ex-team worried over non-payment  

Malada noted that his previously frequent communication with Mogaladi has ceased, claiming the Polokwane City boss no longer answers his calls.

“Considering that Appollis is going to the World Cup and might be signed by another team, I’m sure Polokwane also have a sell-on clause they might benefit from,” Malada speculated, highlighting the financial implications.

“We are quick to be painted with a bad brush from a distance, but these are the challenges we face as lower-division clubs,” he added, shedding light on the struggles of smaller teams.

Appollis is believed to have been sold to Pirates for around R16 million and if the 15% is paid, Callies could bank R2.4 million.