Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo hopes to keep his emotions in check when exciting Bafana Bafana attacker Oswin Appollis makes his appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ivory Coast.
Kopo, who was recently appointed Chippa co-coach with Thabo September, revived the career of Polokwane City’s Appollis (22) who was idling at home without a club and faced an uncertain future.
As he relates the story of Appollis’s transformation from being clubless to possibly showcasing his talents at Afcon, Kopo said the only regret he has was not taking a picture of him overweight when he arrived at Pretoria Callies.
Kopo said it took some convincing for the Pretoria Callies management to sign the exciting attacker who went on to become a key player for Callies in the Motsepe Foundation Championship before he was signed by City.
“I always get goosebumps when I see these players achieve things and it is going to be the same with Oswin,” said Kopo.
“I am really excited for him. We are in contact and I was chatting to him a few days ago before they left for Afcon. It is going to be emotional to see him on that stage, especially for someone who just over two years ago was sitting at home with an uncertain future.
“It is definitely going to be emotional for me, but at the same time a proud moment.
“When I look at the squad, Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appollis and Thapelo Maseko are players I worked with at youth level at SuperSport United.”
Kopo added he was surprised Appollis made it to Bafana so early but there is no doubt about his potential.
“I would say I am surprised the call-up happened so early, he is a talented player and he has gone through youth national teams with the view to progress to Bafana. .
“He is a player who just over two years ago was sitting at home and doing nothing for about six months to a year. Two years later he makes the Bafana squad for Afcon. It is a surprise in that way and I think credit must go to him and the work that has been done with him.
“I am surprised in terms of the timing, but I am not in terms of his quality. He is a player that was always destined for the senior national team.”
Kopo explained Appollis became clubless after he was released by SuperSport United.
“I guess he was deemed not good enough for the senior team and he stayed home. Teams did not chase after him and that was surprising for me.
“When I came to Pretoria Callies, I remembered that he was available and I made contact with him to give him a chance to come to the club and revive his career. I said let it not be about money or anything but just to bring you back.
When he (Oswin Appollis) scored against SuperSport United late last year, I sent him a message to congratulate him and I joked to him that I wish I had taken a picture when he arrived at Callies overweight.
— Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo
“When he came back, I said to him that he deserved to be in the U23 side because at the time I brought him back to Callies it was the generation of those born in 2001, which is his age group.
“I told him that he can’t be sitting at home when he has played in an U20 World Cup. The main objective of bringing him back was to get him into the U23 team.”
Kopo said Appollis worked hard to get back to full fitness at Callies.
“He came through and he was overweight and very unfit, so it took some convincing to the management of Callies to sign him because they didn’t know who this youngster was that I was fighting so hard for.
“He came and trained a few days and they said we are definitely signing this player, and from there the rest is history. He worked hard, the fitness guys worked hard on him to lose weight.
“When he scored against SuperSport United late last year, I sent him a message to congratulate him and I joked that I wish I had taken a picture when he arrived at Callies overweight.
“Before he came to Callies, he said to me ‘coach forget about the money because I just want to play football’. He had made up his mind that he wanted an opportunity to come back and play football.
“We gave him that stage. He was surrounded by the right people in terms of expertise and in terms of getting him the right conditions. Callies benefited from his performances and that led to his sale to Polokwane and I know there are still bigger things for him.
“He’s only had one call-up to Bafana and then he makes Afcon and it is a massive achievement for him.”
Kopo said Appollis has what it takes to play at Afcon level but he mustn’t be put under too much pressure to carry the team.
“Obviously it is a very big and highly competitive stage with big physical opponents from West and North Africa. I don’t think Hugo Broos brought him into the squad to be the one who necessarily has to carry Bafana.
“He has the quality to do something if given an opportunity but senior players are the ones who must carry Bafana. He is one that can turn a game on its head if given an opportunity and with the right motivation.
“He is quality but we must not put under too much pressure. I think maybe he can attract scouts in Europe and North Africa. He was with Jaden Adams in the U23 together, this is the future of South Africa.”
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