Orlando Pirates have received a major boost ahead of their upcoming fixtures after winger Oswin Appollis returned to training following an injury scare. However, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made it clear that the club will not rush the talented attacker back into competitive action before he is fully ready.

Appollis’ return comes at an important time for the Buccaneers, who face a demanding schedule across domestic and continental competitions. One of their biggest upcoming challenges is the highly anticipated Soweto Derby against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs on October 31, a fixture that could have significant implications for the club’s season.

The 24-year-old suffered the scare earlier this month during Orlando Pirates’ convincing 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership. Appollis was stretchered off the pitch, raising concerns among supporters about the seriousness of his condition.

Before leaving the field, however, the winger had already made a valuable contribution by providing the assist for Boitumelo Radiopane’s opening goal, helping Pirates establish control of the match.

Following the encounter, Ouaddou suggested that fatigue might have contributed to the incident rather than a serious injury. The decision to withdraw Appollis was reportedly taken after discussions involving the player, coaching staff and medical team.

Encouragingly, Appollis has since returned to training, where the technical team assessed his physical condition and ability to sprint and change direction without experiencing pain. Reports indicate that the winger felt no discomfort during the exercises, offering further hope that he is recovering well.

Despite the positive developments, Ouaddou remains cautious about his player's return. The Pirates coach has emphasised the importance of managing his squad carefully throughout a demanding season, reportedly comparing his players to luxury sports cars that require proper maintenance to perform at their best.

Pirates supporters will now wait for confirmation of Appollis’ availability for the upcoming fixtures, particularly the derby against Chiefs. While his return to training is encouraging, the final decision will depend on his fitness and the medical team's assessment.

Source:

https://x.com/Soccer_Laduma/status/2113303240699756628