Oswin Appollis was a notable absentee from Orlando Pirates’ final training session at the National Stadium in Gaborone on Friday, raising questions over his availability for Saturday’s CAF Champions League clash against African Stars FC.

His absence comes as coach Abdeslam Ouaddou emphasised the importance of freshness following a demanding run of fixtures for the Buccaneers.

Pirates face the Namibian champions in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie, with a place in the group stages at stake. African Stars are staging their home fixture in Botswana’s capital because no CAF-approved stadium is available in Namibia.

Appollis was stretchered off during the second half of Pirates’ 3-0 Betway Premiership victory over TS Galaxy at Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday night.

The Bafana Bafana winger had returned to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in the 2-0 MTN8 final defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns last Saturday. He provided the assist for Boitumelo Radiopane’s opening goal before his evening ended prematurely.

Speaking after the Galaxy victory, Ouaddou expressed hope that the winger’s withdrawal was down to fatigue.

“It seems to be fatigue, I hope. I hope, really, because he’s one of our best players. (He’s an) important player in the group,” Ouaddou said.

The Pirates coach explained that the decision to withdraw Appollis followed discussions with both the player and the medical team. However, Appollis’ absence from Friday’s session leaves his involvement against African Stars uncertain, with Pirates also facing a Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on October 31.

FRESHNESS KEY AS PIRATES PREPARE FOR AFRICAN STARS

Addressing the media ahead of the continental tie, Ouaddou acknowledged the demands of Pirates’ schedule while stressing the importance of the assignment.

“Although we had very heavy fixtures, for us it’s an important appointment against a very good team, the champion of Namibia.”

“For us, it’s really important to have some freshness to start that game.”

Pirates will be looking to establish a first-leg advantage in Gaborone before hosting African Stars in the return fixture the following weekend.

The Bucs mentor wants his side to approach Saturday’s encounter with the full tie in mind, balancing their ambition with the need to manage the away leg carefully.

“It’s a game that we are going to play, let’s say, in two halves because the first half starts here in Botswana, and we know that we still have another game there.”

“It will be important for us to be very, very clever and definitely to be very ambitious to go through to the next stage.”

The reverse fixture is set for Orlando Amstel Arena next weekend.