‘I don’t see him coming back’ – Pirates told to forget key forward

Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea has cast doubt on Oswin Appollis’ future with the club, suggesting the winger may not return from his post-international duty holiday in the United States.

The speculation follows a series of significant player movements at the Buccaneers. Relebohile Mofokeng recently departed the Bafana Bafana camp in Los Angeles to complete a transfer to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

While the national squad returned to a hero’s welcome at OR Tambo International Airport, it was reported that Appollis, along with Burnley striker Lyle Foster, remained in the USA for a vacation.

Lekoelea casts doubts on Appollis’ future

However, Lekoelea believes there might be more to the story than a simple holiday. He suspects that, like Mofokeng, Appollis could be on the verge of an overseas move.

“No, maybe there’s business going on,” Lekoelea told KickOff. “Maybe there are teams that want him, and that’s why they are negotiating over there but don’t want to make it public, as you know with contracts.”

The former Pirates star expressed his scepticism about the official reason for Appollis staying behind. “I don’t think he would stay behind just for a holiday. I don’t see him coming back to Pirates,” Lekoelea stated, highlighting the winger’s crucial role in the team’s recent success. “It was his combination with Mofokeng and Tshepang Moremi that won Pirates a treble.”

Pirates backed to find replacements

Addressing the potential departure of another key attacker, Lekoelea remains confident in the club’s ability to adapt. He believes the recent success has set a new benchmark for any player joining the Soweto giants.

“The standard has been lifted at Pirates,” he explained. “Other players will see that, and when you go to Pirates, you will have to improve. You saw that Pirates just won the league; you can’t just not perform.”

Lekoelea also emphasised the high expectations that come with playing for the club. “You know Pirates supporters don’t have patience when the team is not performing, so you have to improve. You’re playing for a big team, a nation’s team,” the former Bafana Bafana winger concluded.