Although Orlando Pirates may be nearing the return of Oswin Apollo, head coach Abdelslam Waddu is unwilling to risk the winger's health while the team prepares for an important series of matches.
Apollo resumed training before the second leg of the CAF Champions League match against African Stars, which gave the coaching staff an encouraging sign of his progress. However, the key issue remains the ability to return to full intensity without discomfort.
Waddu stated that the training session allowed the club to assess the player's sprinting ability, and the footballer himself reported no pain. 'I am glad he was at training; the goal was to see what he could do, to see if he could sprint during warm-up—that's good news; he said he doesn't feel any pain,' Waddu said.
Despite this positive feedback, the coach's cautious stance has not changed. Instead of focusing solely on Apollo's return timeline, Waddu is weighing the potential costs of his return before a full recovery.
To explain his viewpoint, he used an unusual analogy, comparing his players to 'Ferraris' whose engines require meticulous maintenance. 'But you must understand that Oswin is an important player for the team; they are all Ferraris; we need to take very good care of these engines. I don't want to risk any players before these important games or burn anything out…'
The message is clear: Pirates want Apollo in the squad, but not at the expense of his long-term health. Time is crucial as the Soweto Derby and the Carlin Cup match against Milford are scheduled for next week.
These upcoming games underscore the importance of careful squad management rather than rushing players back for a single match. Apollo's return to training is a step in the right direction, but it does not guarantee he will play against African Stars. Pirates must decide whether the winger is ready to contribute, or if patience would be wiser. For Waddu, the goal is for his key players to be healthy for the upcoming challenges, not just available for the next start.
