Appollis Downplays Man-of-the-Match Award: ‘It Wasn’t My Best Game’

By Benjamin Nyirenda

JOHANNESBURG – Orlando Pirates lifted the Carling Knockout Cup on Saturday after edging Marumo Gallants 1–0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, but winger Oswin Appollis walked away, insisting he hadn’t delivered his finest performance.

Appollis was named Man of the Match, thanks to the supporters’ vote, yet he was the first to admit others in the side had outperformed him.

“Honestly, it wasn’t my best game,” he said after the final whistle. “I think someone else deserved it more, but the Carling Black Label award is voted for by the fans, so thank you to them. As players, we talk, we motivate each other when things aren’t perfect, and today wasn’t my sharpest. But we work together, and we won the trophy as a team.”

READ MORE: Appollis: There is a lot of work still to be done

Appollis said the next step was to take the momentum into training and prepare properly for the challenges ahead. “We still have a long way to go. We’ll all keep working hard and try to carry this form forward,” he added.

The Bafana Bafana winger also paid tribute to teammate Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who played his final match for Pirates before his move to Chicago Fire after the AFCON tournament in Morocco.

READ MORE: Ouaddou Reflects on Mbokazi’s Journey: ‘I Was in His Shoes at 22’

“As young as he is, he’s already a grown man on the field,” Appollis said. “Technically, defensively, he has everything. I just want to wish him all the best. He deserves the move. He’s a motivation for all of us. It took him about a year, maybe nine months, to get this opportunity and he’s earned it. Hopefully, he never lets us down.”

Pirates will shift focus to their next assignment: a clash with the Carling Black Label All-Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.