Coach shoots down concerns over Chiefs-linked Appollis

Head coach Phuti Mohafe has shot down concerns over Polokwane City and Bafana Bafana attacker Oswin Appollis following his reduced playing minutes in recent  times.

Rise and Shine left Durban after playing to a goalless draw against AmaZulu FC on Tuesday evening to keep their spot in tenth on the DStv Premiership table.

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Surprisingly, talisman Appollis did not start the fixture and was introduced as a half-time substitute.

This was the second consecutive match that the 22-year-old came on for the second half, raising questions over injury or if City are preparing for life after Appollis, who is linked with a move away at the end of the season.

Statically, Appollis been City's most productive attacking player this season, contributing five goals and four assists from his 22 appearances.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mohafe explained the reason behind the star’s reduced playing time.

"Appollis, we just want to bring him slowly but surely into the first XI," said Mohafe.

"Hence, we gave him the two second-halves opportunities in this match and the previous match.

"So, I think with this break, it will help us in terms of tracking very fast to coming into the first eleven.

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"No, it’s not, nothing is missing, (in terms of Appollis' performances).When you check the kind of the wingers we have had, with the matches we played, this one [against AmaZulu] and the previous match...

"So, we opted for the wingers who can give us the covering in defending, the winger who can go forward and Appollis, sometimes is not giving you that. So, we want to fast-track him to do that."

Next up for Polokwane City is a clash