Appollis downplays Footballer of the Season talk amid Pirates’ title push

Orlando Pirates attacker Oswin Appollis is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite a debut season at Mayfair that has seen him catapulted into the PSL Footballer of the Season conversation.

The Bafana Bafana international has been a revelation since joining the Buccaneers at the start of the season from Polokwane City FC. He has already hoisted the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup trophies in his first year.

However, as the league campaign reaches its boiling point, Appollis is refusing to let individual accolades distract him from the collective mission.

Appollis Impact by the Numbers

With 14 goal contributions to his name, the former Polokwane City star has been a central pillar in Pirates’ charge for the Betway Premiership title. While only teammate Relebohile Mofokeng, Sede Junior Dion, and Iqraam Rayners have posted higher statistical returns this season, Appollis remains the ultimate team player. He has managed 11 goals and nine goals 38 games across all competitions.

When pressed on his chances of claiming the league’s most prestigious individual prizes—voted for by his peers and the league’s coaches—the winger was quick to pivot the credit back to the squad.

“At the moment, our focus is to win games as a group and share the ball as much as we can,” Appollis told the media. “That’s what the group has been doing – whoever is scoring, we are always there to assist him, and that’s what I am doing.”

Appollis: Pirates Success Is The Priority

The race for the Footballer of the Season award is heating up, with many experts pitting Appollis against his own teammate, the teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng. Despite the hype, Appollis insists his internal drive isn’t fueled by a trophy for his cabinet at home.

“The Player of the Season is not on my mind at the moment. My job is to score goals and help the team win,” he added defiantly.

As Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side battles for a historic domestic treble and a potential league title, Appollis’ selfless attitude mirrors the culture currently brewing at the Orlando Amstel Arena. For the winger, the math is simple: if the team keeps winning, the individual recognition will take care of itself.

With the Soweto Derby looming and the title race on a knife-edge, Pirates will be counting on this level of focus from their star winger to get them across the finish line.